Parenting 101 Part IV

*Received these in an email. They were not credited. If you are the creator/owner or know who is, please let me know so I can credit them!

Saying Goodbye to the Bottle

At around age one, most experts agree that it's time to wean baby off the bottle. For some parents, this isn't a big deal as their baby has already become accustomed to the cup (or sippy cup). But, for others...this task seems huge and daunting.

If your child doesn't seem to "tied" to the bottle, you can try giving up the bottle cold-turkey - But, if your kiddo is anything like mine (and LOVES their bottle), weaning gradually may be the way to go.

Some parents argue that children should decide when they are ready to give their bottle up - And, while I agree with certain facets of the child-led parenting ideas...this isn't one of them. As a child turns (or has just turned) 12 months old, a window of opportunity opens. Your child is more easily distracted at this point and less set in their own ways. In a few months, however, things will change. You MAY get lucky, you may wait 6 months and your child may fling the bottle to the side one day...never wanting it back. But, you may just as equally may NOT be that lucky, and taking the bottle away (even gradually) could potentially result in lots of throw down tantrums.

For me, I figure I'll have my chance at tantrums as it is, no need to make them worse from a bottle that is not really providing anything extra in her life (she'll still be given milk...just from a sippy cup instead).

To wean your little one from their bottle (around 12 mos + or earlier if they show interest and ability to use a sippy or other cup):

-Begin by taking off the least loved bottle of the day. Our daughter loves all of her bottles, but we are beginning with the lunch-time bottle. Instead, at lunchtime, we will offer her a sippy cup filled with juice or water or milk with her food. We chose lunch time because it is often the most busy and active time of the day for us, so it'll be easy to distract her.

-When you first take a bottle off the schedule, you may (and probably will) be met with some resistance. It's okay. Keep offering a cup - you can even put formula (or whatever was in the bottle) in it. And, when all else fails...distraction.

- Every few days (or week), transition to dropping another bottle off the schedule, leaving the most loved bottles for last. For Baby L, her most loved would be her nighttime bottle. We'll take that one last.

-Another tip: Make bottle feeding less appetizing. If your little one fights giving up the bottle, make them sit in your lap or in a high chair while drinking their bottle. Don't let them play while they drink from it. Chance are, they'll give it up so they can get down.

-Also... You can also fill a bottle with water. Most babies lose interest QUICKLY of their bottles when they no longer are getting formula from the bottle...

IMPORTANT NOTE: Your one year old should still be receiving some sort of milk. Weaning a child off the bottle does NOT mean only giving them juice or water from here on out. When I talk about "bottle", I mean the vessel, not what's in it (milk).

Good luck!

One Year Old

This weekend, baby L will turn ONE! I have been busy researching what exactly this will mean when it comes to her dietary requirements....

The only problem is, most of the NEW baby books are using outdated research and resources. Most of them recommend Whole Cow's Milk once a baby turns one year old. I, however, have a problem with this. First, the hormones. Pretty much everyone has heard about this issue. Hormones in things such as cow's milk can cause HUGE problems for youngsters (and adults). If you have no clue what I'm talking about, just google "hormones in cow's milk". You'll see.

Second, cow's milk was meant for cows. There, I said it. Let me explain: The molecules in cow's milk are large...they were meant for baby cows, not teeny baby humans. So, when a baby drinks too much cow's milk (and some babies can't drink hardly any without having reactions like eczema, ADHD, and other issues), their bodies can't break it up. On top of that, when you buy pasteurized cow's milk, the milk has been heated to VERY high temps to kill off the bacteria...but, it also breaks down the enzymes that could have helped baby digest the milk in their tummies. I am NOT saying to buy raw milk (un-pasteurized).

There ARE alternatives, though. Like...pasteurized goat's milk, for example. The molecules are MUCH much smaller, and easier for baby's tummy to break down. Or, rice or almond milk are also options. (Soy milk should be avoided, however.)

Your (my) baby should get approximately 14-20 oz of milk a day. Depending on your doctor, you'll get different numbers. So, to play it safe just ask your doctor how much your little one specifically needs for their height and weight.

Food, on the other hand is something else that will see changes. Baby L can now eat food that more closely resembles that which is served at the table (although a finely chopped up version).

Here are the nutritional needs for a one year old (with serving sizes!!):

Milk/Dairy: Servings: 16-20 ounces of milk per day. Whole milk or rice milk are recommended. Other equivalents: 1/2 -3/4 ounce of cheese = 4 ounces of milk. 1/4 cup of yogurt = 2 ounces of milk.

Fruits and veggies: Servings: 5 or more per day. Serving size: 1-2 tablespoons - Pureed, mashed, or cubed.

Grains: Servings: 3-4 per day. Serving sizes: 1/2 slice of bread, 1/4 cup of cooked cereal, 1/4 cup of dry cereal. 1/4 cup of pasta, 2-3 saltine crackers, or 1/2 tortilla.

Non-dairy Proteins (meat, fish, beans, eggs): Servings: 2 per day. Serving sizes: 1/2 egg, 2-3 tablespoons beans (i.e. black, pinto, edamame, etc...), 1 tablespoon peanut butter, or 1 ounce of fish, lean beef, pork or chicken.

Nursing with Style

You HAVE to check out Fussypants' blog entry about Nursing with Style HERE.

Basically she says that most women should avoid nursing clothes at all cost. And, to cover your tummy while you nurse with your regular clothes, buy a good quality camisole (like at the sports stores) that is thick and stretchy. Cut out holes for your "girls" and wear under your clothes.

Your tummy stays covered, and you have access where you need it (or baby does).

But, check out her blog...she has pictures and everything!

Parenting 101 Part III

*Received these in an email. They were not credited. If you are the creator/owner or know who is, please let me know so I can credit them!

Thrifty Ideas for your HOME.

Yesterday, I posted some thrifty meal ideas...today, I thought I'd share some thrifty ideas for your HOME. :)

Make your own home cleaners. For starters, they are better for your health than clorox, lysol, pinesol, and most of the other cleaners. By stocking up on things like vinegar, tea tree oil (optional), baking soda, and other things...you can keep your house clean. It's easy, much cheaper, and much healthier. Check HERE for cleaner recipes.

Use your old walmart/grocery bags to line small wastebaskets.

Check out freecycle.org and craigslist.com for anything you may need around the house. And, when you are wanting to give stuff away (from old magazines to a piano), be sure to list it so someone else can get use out of it.

Your furniture and accessories looking a little drab? Before replacing them, consider reupholstering them...yourself. Or, if they aren't fabric, paint them or stain them. Or, try a new coat of paint on the walls to spruce things up.

Need cheap art? Buy some art paper and have the kids go nuts with non-toxic fingerpaints (OUTSIDE). Pick up some cheap frames (and paint them if needed). Frame the art and hang.

Another choice would be to find some of your favorite fabric and staple it to a framed canvas. Hang on walls for a cool effect.

What are YOUR ideas? Leave a comment with your ideas or a direct link to a post (if you blog) with your ideas!

Tasty Tuesdays

This week, I'm going to explore some frugal living. For a lot of us, at some point or another, we will have to set budgets. Some of us will have to live more frugally than others, cutting out any unnecessary costs.

Because it is Tasty Tuesdays, I thought that introducing some frugal meals would be a great idea. Please sign up in the linky if you have a meal to share with us...especial meals that feed four for under $4.

Meals for 4 under $4:

1. Chicken crescent Rolls. You may need to buy the offbrands for the chicken (or cut up your own, using the frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts - after you cook a couple) and crescent rolls.

2. Tuna and noodle (could also use chicken). You need tuna (one can), egg noodles, a bit of milk, cream of mushroom soup.

3. Hamburger Helper is also a CHEAP alternative.

4. Chicken breasts (boneless,skinless, frozen) over brown rice. Sprinkle with cheese and some ranch. Voila.

5. BBQ chicken and steamed carrots.

6. Chili cheese dogs

7. Chicken nuggets and fried potatoes. Cut up chicken (from that same bag of frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts...you'll want to thaw it out first). Bread it and deep fry it. Then, in a skillet, fry up some sliced potatoes.

8. Potatoes and eggs. Grandma used to (and still does for my father and uncle) fry up potatoes and eggs in the skillet. Ingredients? Potatoes. Eggs.

9. Use that same bag of boneless skinless chicken breasts, and grill some chicken...or fry it like in number 7. Add some lettuce, and cheese and put in a tortilla with ranch for a wrap...or make it a salad by adding tomatoes and ranch. Add your favorite buffalo sauce for some spice.

10. Freeze the small portions of veggie leftovers (carrots, corn, broccoli, beans, etc) together. When you are short on time and money, pour the veggies you've accumulated into a pot and add some vegetable broth ...and you have soup. If you have some meat, add it. If not, toast some bread, make cornbread, or crumble up some crackers.

What are your ideas? --And fast food does NOT count!