By: Calbury

At some point before your baby’s first birthday, you will probably be thinking about giving him a sippy cup. Maybe you would like to give him a little water, or perhaps you plan to pump your breast milk and would like to bypass bottles altogether, weaning your baby straight to a cup. You may just want to get your baby accustomed to a cup in preparation for the transition from formula later on.

But when is the best time to start? Well, this varies widely from baby to baby. Some babies are interested in sippy cups from as early as 6 months, whereas others show no interest at all until much later. It doesn’t do any harm to offer your baby a sippy cup at any stage, although he may need a lot of help at first, particularly if he is very young.

There are many different styles of sippy cups on the market and it’s very difficult to recommend the “ideal” variety - as you know, babies have their own opinions and preferences about many things and sippy cups are no exception!

Some models have valves and require your baby to suck quite vigorously. Some babies - younger ones in particular - don’t get on so well with this type of cup and prefer a more “free-flowing” spout. While this may be a bit messy at first, it can get your baby used to the idea of what a cup is all about.

MY BABY WON’T DRINK FROM A SIPPY CUP! This is very common — and many parents worry unnecessarily that their babies are somehow “falling behind” if they’re not using a sippy cup by their first birthday.

Be patient. It is not essential that your child drink from a sippy cup — supplemental water and juice are, in general, unnecessary during baby’s first year anyway.

Don’t compare your baby to others — all babies develop differently and “sippy cup skills” may not be your baby’s area of expertise!

He’ll work it out eventually - but in the meantime, here are a few tips to make the introduction of a sippy cup a little easier…

• If he’s struggling to get a drink from the cup but doesn’t seem to be able to suck hard enough, try removing the valve. Watch out, though, because the liquid will flow far more rapidly.
• Dip the spout into the liquid, so that your baby knows what’s inside. Don’t assume that he will automatically realize that a cup contains a drink!
• Demonstrate how to use the cup and display exaggerated enjoyment as you drink… so he really wants to taste some, too! Alternatively, have a sibling or little friend use a cup in front of him — babies are natural mimics and seeing a friend enjoying a sippy cup may provide just the incentive he needs!
• Don’t introduce the cup when he’s tired — if he’s thirsty, he’ll become frustrated and upset very quickly. Early in the morning, when he’s wide awake, is the best time to try.
• Try different kinds of cups and spouts until you find the one your baby prefers. For a first cup, many babies like soft, rubbery spouts, which feel closer to a nipple.
• Try using a feeding set with interchangeable spouts. Some sets feature bottles on to which you can attach a regular nipple OR a sippy spout. Your baby may be happier about trying the spout if the bottle looks familiar.
• If you are planning on giving your baby formula or breast milk from the sippy cup, then make sure you put milk in the cup when you introduce it to him. If you use water or juice, he may associate the cup with these drinks only — and then refuse to take milk from the same cup.

IMPORTANT: Allow your baby to use a sippy cup in moderation only. Don’t put him to bed with a cup of milk or juice as these drinks will “pool” around his teeth, leading to tooth decay. Always clean your baby’s cup thoroughly — particularly the valve, which can harbour bacteria.

SKIPPING THE SIPPY CUP

Some parents prefer not to use sippy cups at all — they’re certainly not essential and didn’t even exist when WE were growing up!

There is some concern among speech therapists that the extended use of a sippy cup can affect oral development and speech skills — and some parents just find these types of cups somewhat unhygienic, due to the need for scrupulous cleaning of the valves.

Some breastfeeding mothers have found that using the types of sippy cups that require vigorous sucking can cause their babies to latch on a little differently — sometimes painfully — as they become accustomed to sucking on the cup. If you are breastfeeding, you might want to consider using a free-flowing spout, or trying these alternatives to using a sippy cup…

• Some babies will readily drink from a regular cup, using a straw. If your baby is happy to do this, then cut the straw down to a length that’s easier for him to control. Remember — never allow your baby to walk or run with a straw in his mouth.
• Many parents find that “shot” glasses are perfect for babies (used under strict supervision, of course). The size is perfect for baby’s little mouth and hands — and, because it’s so small, there’s not much to spill if he tips it over!

Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory

About The Author: Christine Albury is the owner/editor of Homemade Baby Food Recipes - your complete guide to solid feeding during baby’s first year.

Now that spring is here you will be able to tackle lots of chores in the backyard. Perhaps you are even thinking of cleaning out the garage. If so; here are some tips for getting your kids involved in outdoor chores.

With the very harsh weather our country has been experiencing, you may want to begin to clear out your flower beds, prepare a compost pile, and generally prepare your backyard for additional planting such as an herb garden. As soon as the weather gets a bit warmer, there are plenty of chores your entire family can participate in. Make a list of all of the tasks you have to accomplish, and make a list assigning each member of your family to handle one chore.

* Assign an older child to rake the leaves and younger children to put them into a bag. Of course, they will want to stomp on the leaves and jump in them before they put them in the bag! Fun moments like this make outdoor chores more enjoyable for everyone.

* Have another child help you clear out the flower beds or help you pull out weeds.

* Have each member of your family help you spread the mulch.

* Have the kids start a compost pile.

* Maybe dad and son may want to build a new birdhouse or a bat house. (bats are wonderful for eating mosquitoes, so attracting them to your property may be more beneficial than you expected!)

* You may decide to put a rock border around your flower bed.

* One of the children can accompany dad to buy fertilizer.

There are probably more chores you can think of to assign to each family member. Depending upon the weather, of course, working in the backyard or garden allows your kids to not only have fun, but become involved in every aspect of planting. Perhaps your daughter would like to plant some special flowers.

Keeping the chores short, with fun bursts in between, and taking the children’s attention span and interests into consideration will help make things more fun for everyone.

The more you involve your kids, the easier it will be getting your kids involved in outdoor chores. They will not only have the opportunity to see the backyard come to life, but will begin to appreciate nature as well.

Probably most moms know that you’re never supposed to go to the grocery store without a list. Yes, it’ll help you spend less money if you’ve got a plan written down. For me, it’s most helpful to have a list so that the stuff I need to remember to get doesn’t fall through the cracks in my collander-brain! (There’s nothing quite so annoying as having shlepped all the way through the grocery store with kids in tow, and getting to the car and realizing that I forgot something that I really, really needed to get….)

This week I have a little freebie for you that will make your grocery shopping easier. It’s a cute little Grocery Shopping List that you can save to your computer and print out as often as you like. I enjoy having one of these lists taped to the front of the refrigerator so that I can write down the things we run out of, and put them directly into the category where I’ll find that item at the store. Waaaaay better than a helter-skelter list of stuff all jumbled together!

Enjoy! And feel free to tell your friends so they can come and get their free shopping list too!

It doesn’t matter if you are a working mom or not, organizing your home can be a daunting challenge. Whether daily or weekend cleaning is your strong suit, it seems the harder you work, the more clutter you find, especially if you have children. Here are some quick tips for an organized home.

1. If your children attend school, prepare their lunches at night. This will save lots of time in the morning rush.

2. Use a magnetic board; place it on your refrigerator, and list the food items you will need for your next shopping trip to the supermarket.

3. Buy some jumbo storage boxes to organize your closet. Add some additional hangers that support more than one piece of clothing. Some of the home shopping clubs offer space saver hangars and storage units which are affordable, and can turn any closet into an efficient space-saving unit.

4. Get rid of the piles of magazines, newspapers, and advertisements which have been accumulating in your home. Keep the current issues, and throw out the rest.

5. Organize your kitchen cabinets, and line them with Con-Tact paper. Your cabinets will be easier to clean by simply using a damp sponge.

6. Throw out anything outdated from your medicine cabinet. If you also have a bathroom cabinet, line it with Con-Tact as well, and re-arrange the items inside.

7. Do you have jewelry scattered on top of your bedroom furniture. Purchase a jewelry box containing several drawers. You’ll never lose that earring again!

8. Encourage your children to clean their rooms. Develop a reward system which will not only give them an incentive, but will teach them to be responsible for their clothes and toys. Buy different colored storage boxes for their toys!

9. Arrange all of your cleaning supplies in a closet or basement. Use hooks to hang brooms, dusters, and mops. If you have a few shelves, place all of your cleaning detergents, light bulbs and other household items on them. This is not only a good organizational method, but you’ll find everything you need in one place.

10. Buy a CD rack and place all of the scattered CDs into one space. Perhaps a unit combining CDs and DVDs would be more suitable.

When your home is organized, you not only feel better but be able to accomplish more, right?

Unless your kids have been saving their money, they may not be able to afford to buy a gift for Mother’s Day. However, there are many inexpensive ideas for Mother’s Day gifts that they might like. These are great for grandmothers too!

* Set the table for dinner
* Give her a red rose and place it in her favorite vase
* Make her a special breakfast
* Take her to the park for a picnic lunch
* Bake her a cake and sing Happy Mother’s Day To You
* Take her to a movie
* Buy her favorite scented candles
* Offer to do a specific chore for a week such as washing the dishes
* Make a huge Happy Mother’s Day Sign
* Give her a picture of you in a specially decorated frame
* Make a bag of potpourri using dried flowers from the garden
* Put together a scrapbook with her favorite recipes
* Make a jewelry box for her using spring ornaments
* Buy packs of herbs or flower seeds your mom could plant in the garden
* Clear out the flower bed for mom to prepare for spring planting
* Rake the leaves and make a compost pile
* Make mom a bracelet using beads from a craft store
* Make a sign for a t-shirt that says “I love my mom”
* Wash the car
* Clean your room

There are so many inexpensive ideas for Mother’s Day gifts, all of which will be appreciated no matter how small. The fact that you took the time to make a present or buy something really special says it all. So whatever you decide to do, know that it will be a keepsake mom will treasure forever.

Let’s face it; the closet in your bedroom is a mess, you can’t find anything and you’re ready to scream! Wait! Before you go off, here are some easy bedroom storage ideas that will keep you happy, organized and sane.

Go to the nearest house ware store and purchase some Rubbermaid clothing boxes; a shoe rack; hooks; and a dozen or more hangers. While there, buy an under the bed storage box as well. Once you get home, here is what you can do.

* First, take everything out of your closet.
* Decide what clothes, bags, belts and shoes you want to keep and put the rest in a pile.
* Take the jumbo boxes and place your bags in one; and your summer or winter tops or sweaters in the other.
* Mark the boxes accordingly, and place them on the top shelf of the closet.
* Hang some hooks on the side of the closet for your belts, and everyday bags.
* Put the shoe rack on the floor against the back of the wall.
* Place the shoes on the show rack.
* Using the new hangers, place the clothes back in the closet.
* Place everything you are getting rid of into a large plastic garbage bag and call your local church or Goodwill for pickup in the morning.

Depending upon the size of your closet, and the amount of clothing you own, there may have to be some adjustments made. But for right now, you are set to go. Well, not quite yet. Is your bedroom cluttered? Then the next step is to clear up the mess. Discard any old magazines or newspapers. Place all your jewelry back into the jewelry box. Remember that storage box you purchased? You can use it to store excess items spilling out of your dresser drawers. Yes, you’ll have to go through them as well.

Once you are finished, you will be exhilarated for having taken on the job! More importantly, you will have more space available than you ever thought possible.

You love to drink coffee, but need to give it up now that you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or just trying to take better care of yourself? You’ve got to check this out.Teeccino Herbal Coffees come in a wide range of delicious flavors that will energize and satisfy you without caffeine or acidity. Teeccino brews in your coffee pot just like regular coffee and smells heavenly.

I recently served free samples of Teeccino at an Earth Day Festival and hundreds of people gave it a try. I got 100% positive responses about the taste!

Visit our sister site, Supermom’s Health and Wellness, to try it today!

http://www.supermomshealthandwellness.com/index.php/action/category/id/15/

With spring arriving in most areas of the country, it’s now time to clean our your flower bed. Here are some tips to help you.

What you’ll need:

* Rake
* Clippers
* Shovel
* Garden Gloves
* Mulch

Now you are ready to begin!

* Take away any debris such as branches or leaves.
* Get rid of all the dead foliage from your perennials by cutting them back just near ground level.
* Rake the flower bed clean.
* Pile up the debris in a compost pile.
* Remove the mulch off the bed and replace it with a fresh layer of compost.
* Toss the compost with a shovel.
* Rake the compost as you spread it over the flower bed.
* Replace a fresh layer of mulch.

Winter has not been kind to us, in fact, every forecast you listen to describes this winter as the worst in America. Therefore, you may not be able to clear your flower beds just yet, but in case you do – hopefully the spring cleaning of your garden will be a successful one. Clearing your flower beds is a relaxing and enjoyable task. Hopefully, the weather will be as enjoyable.

I don’t know how many readers I have that are moms of many youngsters, but this tip can also be a help to you anytime you have extra kids in your home for meals.

For several years I struggles with trying to serve food when our table was primarily occupied by young children, toddlers, and babies. I’d get the table set (pretending we were a civilized bunch!) and then struggle to go around the table serving food, cutting meat, and constantly being interrupted by requests for leftovers, etc. It was tricky to reach all around the table when I’m not an octopus!

One evening we had some friends visiting. The husband was born and raised in Belgium and was one of six siblings. (or possibly more–I’m not entirely sure any more) As I struggled to serve the food I asked him what his mother did when she served food to so many little children. His simple response changed our meal times!

He said that she put all the plates in a pile in front of her, along with silverware, etc. and had the food all within her reach. She then made up each plate right in front of her and passed it along to the children.

Isn’t it funny how the simplest ideas can revolutionize our life?

Tonite I remembered this because I realized that now my children are old enough that we could probably just set the table and pass things. Wow. You think you’re never going to get out of a stage, and then time goes by, and you do. Amazing!

I wanted to share a simple massage trick that can help with both constipation and diarrhea. Here’s how it works.

Look at your child’s belly button and think of it as the center of a clock. All you have to do is a gentle circular stroke around the belly button area going clockwise to get the system moving, and counter-clockwise to help slow down diarrhea.

Please remember, this massage does NOT require any pushing, kneading, or pressure. It’s what’s called a “nerve stroke” which means that you are just stimulating some nerves near the surface of the skin.

I learned about this from a massage therapist when my 6th baby was newborn, and it sure has been a help! I wish I had known about it for all of my babies! I have shared this tip with many moms and have gotten tons of feedback about it helping them a lot, so hopefully it will help you too.

Lorri Colbert was kind enough to share this little tidbit of helpful information with us! I agree with her–there are so many surprises in motherhood that you never read about in books! If you’ve got a “Things They Never Told Me” tip, send it to me at erica@TheBabyBoutiqueAtWombsWindow.com.
In the meantime, you can visit Lorri’s Mary Kay web site here.

My experience as a new mom in my mid thirties included something I didn’t read in the ‘mom to be or your first child type books’! Giving my son a bath and gently washing his head was usually an enjoyable experience. Imagine my horror as I removed the washcloth from the back of his head and it was covered with his beautiful hair! I was sure I injured him or at least something was terribly wrong! No, new mom, it is a very natural thing for the soft baby hair to fade as stronger hair follicles come in. It may not happen as dramatically as being removed all at once with a washcloth, but whether you see it or not it is ok!

Lisa shares this tip about potty training your little boys. You can visit Lisa’s web sites here and here.

I was having a hard time potty training my son, as I
was
doing everything I thought I needed to do. even
getting
up throughout the night and everything. so it was not
that I was being lazy and not wanting to do what I
needed
to do. It was him being lazy. I used to pray to God
to “please let my son learn how to potty on his own”

So one day we had went to Wal-mart and he grabbed some
m&m’s, so I bought them for him. he loved them. He
dropped some on the floor in the bathroom and I told
him to put them in the toilet. he did, but the most
ironic thing happened:

When he put those m&m’s in the toilet, I told him to
go potty and what he did was Potty on the m&m” as if
they were a target and he was trying to hit them, he
thought it was so fun to shoot at the m&m”s. So
I started to buy them and save for him to shoot at
them, therefore everytime he had to potty , he would
tell me to give him some m&m’s to shoot!!!!! and I had
some everytime too. It’s funny and may sound crazy,
but, that is how I potty trained my son (Sorry!!!only
work with boys) go figure LOL!!!!

Are you stuck in CHAOS? (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome) Overwhelmed by clutter and disorganization?Flylady can help! For free!!

If you haven’t heard about Flylady yet, it’s about time you did. Flylady Marla Cilley has a wildly popular system for keeping your home clean and organized using “baby steps” that normally will only take you 10-15 minutes at a time. Your home is divided up into cleaning zones and each week there are a few extra tasks that you do to declutter and improve that room, in addition to the regular basic household chores that need to be done daily. When you sign up for her email list, each day you will receive several emails to remind you of what you should be doing, and encourage you along the way.

The web site is a wonderful resource as well. There are clutter-free gift ideas for everyone on your gift giving list, recipes and tips for getting meals under control, and tools that will make getting and keeping your home under control easier. I love her calendar–it has really big squares so that you have plenty of room to write down all the activities and appointments that your family has to keep up on. Anyone that loves organization and new ideas will love Flylady’s site.

I’ve been in an off-and-on relationship with Flylady for many years. When I have time to do the tasks, I love getting the email reminders. My kids have even gotten into it, asking me, “What does the Flylady say we have to do now?”

I’m about the the point where I need to sign up for dear Flylady again….she has a great plan for not just surviving the holiday season, but by using baby steps and planning, actually thriving and enjoying the season and having time to spend with family and friends. Why not check it out and see how the Flylady system can help you?

The best thing I’ve found for getting blood out of fabric is hydrogen peroxide. Just pour enough hydrogen peroxide onto the blood to cover it. Let it sit and fizz away until the bubbles dissipate. For some fabrics you may need to turn it over and repeat the procedure. (this works great on furniture and carpeting as well)

After that I usually rinse with cold water, and then rub in some liquid soap or laundry detergent and let it sit until time to wash. Normally the blood stains are completely gone once I pull the item out of the wash. (always check, though–you don’t want to dry in a stain!)