Tip of the Week: Natural Crib-Warmer Keeps Things Cozy!

When your baby falls asleep in your arms, you do everything you can to make that transfer to crib or bassinet as seamless and comfortable as possible. If you've found that your baby's chilly bed linens are startling them awake, I encourage you to whip up an easy, natural and homemade heating pad to get you through the winter.

Warm the pad 3-5 minutes in the microwave and tuck into their crib anywhere between 10 minutes to an hour before you plan to put your child down. This will warm the linens in a natural and cord-free way, preventing your child from waking due to the sudden temperature change of being placed in their crib.

This pad also doubles as an excellent natural remedy for you, too! I use mine for backaches, headaches and even a toe warmer when I catch a chill. You can even put it in the freezer to double as an ice pack. Just make sure you don't get it wet, the filling will absorb the moisture and ruin your handy helper.

There is an extremely easy no-sew way to make these, or for the adept seamstress, you can amp the project up a few notches. To make your natural heating pad, you'll need the following:

• Fabric Squares or a New Sock
• Filling (rice, dried cherry pits, flaxseed or buckwheat hulls)
  

No-Sew Directions: Take a new, clean sock (a men's tube sock works best because it's longer) and fill 2/3 full of the filler of your choice. Tie a knot at the top and pull it as tight and secure as possible. You can also take some cord and tie it shut, then tie the sock in a knot over the corded seal for an extra-safe seal.

Sewing Directions: Pick 2 pretty pieces of cotton, roughly the size that you'd like the pad to be, and place them wrong-sides together. Sew 3 edges (do each seam twice for security) and turn it right-side out, like a pillowcase. Then sew from the closed end to the open end about every 2 inches. That will give you a casing with several long, thin channels. Fill each channel 2/3 full with the filler of your choice. Finally, fold the raw end twice and sew it closed.

Tip of the Week: Photo Card Deals

There are a lot of options when it comes to printing your holiday cards. You've got to factor in quality, cost and convenience. It's one of the few opportunities you have each year to show everyone in your address book how your family has grown and changed!

After weighing the pros and cons, I've found that Costco is a real winner! They print high-quality cards for a steal, only $14.99 for 50 personalized, 6x7 1/2 photo cards with envelopes. Your order also includes 4 free calendar cards. Need more? No worries! Each additional 25 cards are only $5.49. Not only are they inexpensive, but they can be ready in a just a couple days and you can pick them up at your local warehouse -- ideal for the last-minute shopper.

If it's too late to order your holiday cards from Costco this year, keep this option in mind for other holidays, birth announcements or event invitations! They also offer photo gifts (like canvas prints, throw blankets, calendars, etc.) at very reasonable prices. Visit the Costco Photo Center for more information.

Tip of the Week: Holiday Traditions

As new parents we can't wait to celebrate the holidays with our child! However, it is important to realize... they won't remember much of it. Spend your holidays focused on creating new traditions, and not necessarily making memories. Here are a couple of tips to help you get started:

1) A holiday card featuring your baby is a great way to introduce your new child to friends and family. As your child gets older, these photo cards also keep them up-to-date on the growth and milestones your little one reaches each year.

2) The holidays are the perfect excuse to go wild and dress your child up in the most over-the-top outfit you've had your eye on. Get them fluffed, styled and accessorized for the ultimate holiday photo shoot!

3) A personalized stocking with your child's name on it is something that you will hang and treasure for years to come. It's worth the investment!

4) Toys are great, but your baby will probably have more fun playing with the paper than with the toys themselves. In this case less is more. Take the opportunity to put money into a savings account for college. If you want to give them a toy or two, wrap up something of yours that your parents saved that you can pass down to your child. This will be something that will be truly treasured, remembered and appreciated.

Tip of the Week: Picture-Perfect Holiday Cards

While I am not a professional photographer, I've seen my share of family portrait sittings. I've learned over the years a couple tricks that will increase your odds of a beautiful holiday greeting card, starring your children!

1) Sometimes the best shots are candid shots. Remember that your child doesn't need to be smiling... a sleeping or laughing baby can make for a wonderfully authentic photo!

2) If you are using a professional photographer, be sure to schedule your sitting for when your child is well rested and fed.

3) Dress your child in simple, bright-colored clothing. Avoid busy patterns!

4) Bring along your child's favorite toy or puppet to help coax a smile.

5) Be sure your child is comfortable in the environment and take your time! Relax! If you are nervous, your child will certainly pick up the vibe and act on it. Remember that you are making beautiful holiday memories and enjoy yourself!

Tip of the Week: Perfect New-Sibling Gift

Are you about to have a new baby and looking for ways to help your first child through the transition?

Check out customboardbooks.com. They offer beautiful board books - personalized with your own photos! To help foster bonding between siblings, create a book full of first-child photos just for your big kid. They will be excited to receive this special gift just for them, amidst all of the gifts for the new baby.

As your new baby grows, your first child will delight in sharing all of their pictures with their new little brother or sister. This great tool for sibling bonding is also a beautiful keepsake that the whole family will love!

Tip of the Week: Beating the "Winter Blahs" with Art

As the long winter months drag on, we can all come down with a touch of the “winter blahs”. Those who suffer most greatly from this annual ailment: our children.

They get bored, so we have to get creative. My mother, aka Grandma, came up with a wonderful way last year for my daughter to beat the winter blues.

She visited several craft websites and compiled months' worth of kid-centric art projects! Two great sites I recommend are FreeKidsCrafts.com, and my personal favorite, Martha Stewart’s Kids' page.

She then printed the directions and a picture of the finished product, bought the supplies needed and placed it all together in a Ziploc bag. All of the "art kits" then went into a big bin that we pull out any time my daughter complains, “she is bored”.

Tip of the Week: "Manolo Blahniks For Tykes"

I couldn't help but notice the adorable fuzzy booties on baby Adler at a Triple B meeting today. Dubbed "The Manolo Blahniks For Tykes", Yo My Booties are a favorite of new celebrity moms and are available for newborns and babies in 2 sizes: 0-3 months and 3-6 months.

Thank goodness these were not around when my daughter was a baby, she would have had a closet full of them! Although Yo My Booties is known for their fuzzy angora booties, I fell in love with the metallic booties and the fringed, suede ones, too. Check out all of their adorable styles here.

Tip of the Week: Kid-Friendly Pumpkin Patches

One of favorite times of year, Halloween, includes one of my favorite yearly traditions. Since my daughter was born, we look forward to our annual visit to a pumpkin patch!

My favorites include Geobbert's Pumpkin Patch and Sonny Acres:

Goebbert’s is located in Hampshire, Illinois. They won me over with their apple cider doughnuts, but my daughter loves it for the corn maze and the mechanical pumpkin-eating dragon! There is a little something for everyone, but it caters to families with younger children.

Trip Tip: Be sure bundle up if you choose Goebbert’s, it's located in an open field and the wind can be strong.

Visit their website here for more information.

Sonny Acres is located in West Chicago, and is my absolute favorite. It has everything from a petting zoo to corn on the cob, from face painting to hay rides and even small carnival rides. Of course, they have pumpkins too! Kids of all ages will delight in the fall festivities at this quaint must-see, just off of North Avenue.

Trip Tip: Beware, Sonny Acres can get pretty crowded. I recommend visiting early in the morning.

Visit their website here for more information.

Tip of the Week: Handmade Halloween Costumes (without hand-making them!)

As a child, I was fortunate enough to have a mother with sewing skills! She handmade my Halloween costumes every year. Unfortunately, she did not pass along her knack for sewing to me, yet I long to give my daughter the same experience that I had.

Problem solved! Visit Etsy.com to find beautifully hand-sewn costumes, just like your mother used to make. No one has to know that you didn't make them yourself, and your child will be the bell of the ball!

Tip of the Week: A Fantastic Tale of a Tail!

I am so thankful that my mother saved my favorite childhood books for me to share with my daughter, as now she and I enjoy them together. They are stories that have withstood the test of time, and I hope someday she will share them with her children.

One of my all-time favorites is “The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock” by Bill Peet. It is the story of a peacock whose tail is so scraggly, that it appears as if it is a large, green-eyed monster. Although not as beautiful as the other peacock’s tails, it serves to scare away a hungry tiger who lurks in the nearby woods, and Prewitt becomes a hero when he protects the other peacocks. This is a wonderful book appropriate for ages 2 and up!

Tip of the Week: Smiley Snack

Sometimes I feel more like a short-order cook than a mother, because I am constantly striving to please my daughter’s taste buds. I’ve learned though, that it isn’t my cooking skills that win her over, but my creativity in the kitchen.

One of my daughter’s favorite creations is the “Smiley Face Sandwich." Spread peanut butter or honey on a plain rice cake or toast. My daughter prefers M& M’s (but you can also use a healthier alternative like raisins or any other dried fruit) for the eyes. For the hair I use either corn flakes or rice crispies, and then I make a face. If you have a finicky eater, this is a fun and fairly healthy alternative!

Tip of the Week: Savvy Selling, Sharing and Shopping for Moms

Now that my daughter is getting older, I’ve realized that it is time to de-clutter my home of all of the cute accessories and tiny pink clothes that I accumulated when she was a baby. Consignment stores, craigslist.org and Ebay are the obvious options, but why not go to straight to your target audience? These websites cater specifically to mothers interested in selling, trading or donating their children’s clothing and belongings. Below is a list of some of the better options:

Freepeats.org – Register to pass on your baby clothing, gear, toys, maternity wear and more to other Chicago parents, and find items you want that are being giving away.

HandMeDowns.com – The classifieds for moms.

SwapBabyGoods.com – A website that provides a friendly place for parents to buy, sell or swap baby items.

Swap.com - You can trade your Baby Einstein DVDs, parenting books, music and more!

TradingCradles.com – A free online marketplace to sell or give away items that your child has outgrown.

Zwaggle.com - Online marketplace for parents to share their child's used gear with other families. Zwaggle also provides opportunities to donate used items to charities!

Tip of the Week: Superior Nursing Bras

Finding the right nursing bra can be a challenge, and there is nothing worse than one that is ill-fitting or uncomfortable! To achieve the right balance of comfort, support, convenience and accessibility in a nursing bra can take some research. To help cut through all the mediocre nursing bras out there, listed below are the top five, voted on and recommended by other mothers like you. Their selections were based on comfort, support, coverage and flexibility.

1) Bravado Body Silk Seamless bra

2) Tee-Shirt Underwire Bra from MelindaG

3) Molded Cup Nursing Bra from Dynabelly

4) Gilligan & O’Malley nursing tanks

5) Motherhood Maternity: Flap Sports bra

Tip of the Week: Stuffed Animal Overload

My daughter’s stuffed animals had officially taken over her bedroom.

I realized that these fluffy creatures serve no real purpose. I also realized that after a little cuddling, they usually get thrown into a basket never to be played with again. In spite of all this, I couldn’t bear to throw them out. I remember the joy of bringing home a new stuffed animal to add to my collection as a little girl. So, even though her collection has become a bit unruly, I hadn't wanted to deprive her of that happiness.

Voilà! A solution -- Boon's "Animal Bag". This over-sized, plush bag is covered with see-through, durable mesh windows. My daughter was able to fit all of her stuffed animals in it, and it doubles as a comfy seat too! Thank you, Boon, for the perfect storage solution for all of her treasured, stuffed animal, friends.

Tip of the Week: Hands-Free Feedings

Moms on-the-go may find the Podee Hands-Free Bottle to be a handy tool. It is an 8-ounce, BPA-free bottle with tubing attached to the nipple so that your baby can eat upright. It is also helpful in preventing ear infections and colic! Not only is it good for baby, it makes mom’s life easier too. It's convenient for using in the car seat or stroller, and great for parents with multiples. Podee also offers a converter kit to convert your standard baby bottles to give you the same convenience of the upright and hands-free Podee Bottle.

Click here to visit their website and get information on where to buy.

Tip of the Week: A Mammoth LEGO Event

Is your child a lover of LEGOs? If so, visit The Field Museum Friday, August 6th through Sunday, August 8th to take part in reconstructing the Ice Age, LEGO style. A LEGO Master Builder will be creating giant murals of some of the biggest creatures in history, including mammoths and mastodons! Free with general admission, this exhibit even allows children to participate, assisting the builder as he recreates a scene from long, long ago. For more information click here.

Tip of the Week: Beat the Heat!

We've been enjoying a warm Chicago summer, but with the sun comes the heat, which can be a challenge with a little one strapped among all of the padding and straps of their strollers and car seats. As I tell the mother’s in my stroller fitness class, a quick way to ensure that your child is comfortable is to wrap a small, soft lunch-box size ice pack in a towel and place it in the stroller with them. The ice pack should be wrapped securely so it can't touch your babies skin or interfere with the safety of the straps. I've found this to be an easy and inexpensive way to "air condition" your child’s stroller and beat the summer heat!

Tip of the Week: "Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning"

A Triple B Mom recently sent me a link to a blog entry written by coast guard and maritime safety expert, Mario Vittone, called "Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning". What an eye-opener! I encourage you all to take a few minutes and read this, it could help you to recognize and prevent a life-threatening water situation.

Tip of the Week: Space Saving Solutions

Thank you to Milly, a Triple B blog contributor, for writing this week's tip of the week!

Easy solutions to your lunch time, bath time and diaper changing woes!

Lunch time: The quick solution to plastic bag overload? Boon’s new "Snack Ball", a convenient spherical snack container that splits in half for easy loading and cleaning and "snap-shut" lid to keep the snacks safely inside. No need to worry about squishing your snacks with this hard, round, travel-friendly snack solution!

Bath time: After the kids are dried off and put to bed, there is still the matter of bathroom clean up. This is where Boon’s "Bug Pod" comes into play. The adorable storage pod adheres to your bathtub wall and has a shelf for your kiddie shampoos. Detach the front to quickly scoop up any toys in the bath, and rehang with the knowledge that the holes at the bottom will allow for drainage to help dry the toys quickly.

Diaper changing: Boon does it again with "Stash" their multi-purpose room organizer that is perfect for keeping small items handy. This sleek little number is perfect for your changing table, bathroom or kitchen!

As if the products themselves weren't enough, there is even more incentive to buy these handy helpers! Boon donates 10% of all their profits to children's charities.

Tip of the Week: "Momtourage"

I wrote an article for the Expectant Mothers Guide of Chicago on the importance of surrounding yourself with other mom friends after you have a child. It's available to read online here and will be printed in their fall issue. I'm thrilled for you all to read my first published article! It's dedicated to my "momtourage": Jessica, Cami, Catherine, Suz and Julie.

Tip of the Week: Gelato A Go-Go

If you haven't taken a stroll down Division Street lately, it is a great time of year to check out it's family-friendly fair of boutiques and child-friendly restaurants. Most of the restaurants have outdoor seating this time of year which make them great places to dine with children.

My new favorite is Caffé Gelato at 2034 West Division Street in Wicker Park. Their homemade gelato is utterly delicious and so light that you can almost convince yourself you're eating something healthy!

With both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a parking lot, it is a stroller-accessible and family friendly option for the perfect summer afternoon treat. If you can resist the gelato, they have sandwiches too!

Tip of the Week: A Green Solution to Sandwich Bags

In my house, we go through plastic sandwich baggies like crazy. Whether for snacks, toys or travel, it seems I can’t live without a box of these on hand. I would hate to think about how my family has contributed to the 12 million plastic bags that fill our landfills!

Three moms in Pennsylvania were discussing this very problem when they came up with an alternative to the plastic baggie dilemma -- LunchSkins. LunchSkins are cute, food safe, dishwasher-friendly reusable bags. Not only will you be helping to save the environment, but over time these reusable bags will save you money too!

Click here to visit the LunchSkins website and store.

Tip of the Week: Free Kiddie Events

Plan a weekly outing for you and your little one to one of these FREE events this summer!

1.) Your local library hosts story times for children of all ages. Programs include Lapsit Story Times (0-18 months), Toddler Story Times (18-35 months) and Preschool Story Times (3-5 years). Visit the Chicago Public Library website here to search by "Program Name" and "Zip Code" to find days and times for the events at your local library!

2.) The Lincoln Park Zoo offers Story Time each Monday and Wednesday from 9:15-9:45am and again at 10-10:30am at the Farm-in-the-Zoo.

3.) Join Bubbles Academy at the Lincoln Park Whole Foods Market for fun songs and stories from 10-10:30am on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Tip of the Week: A Key to the City

Do you have a Chicago Public Library card? If you don't, I suggest you get one...this free membership card can act as a key to Chicago! Check out a free pass from your local library that allows you, your families and a friend FREE admission to all of Chicago's great museums.

Museums include: The Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Adler Planetarium, Art Institute, Chicago Children’s Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, and the Museum of Modern Art.

Most of these popular destinations have play areas just for babies and toddlers. In particular, I recommend the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry. Even if your baby is a little young to participate, the visually-stimulating environment is fun for your baby, and a great place to meet with friends!

Tip of the Week: Children's Medicine Recall

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the maker of such pharmaceuticals as Tylenol, Zyrtec, and Motrin has announced a recall of their children and infants’ liquid products. The recall is not based on adverse medical events, but instead is voluntary based on quality control. In some instances, it is believed that there may be a higher concentration of active ingredients than specified. The company is warning consumers to discontinue use of these products.

Consumers can request a refund or coupon for any affected product at phone number 1-888-222-6036 or online at www.mcneilproductrecall.com.

Click here for a list of affected products and their NDC product numbers which are located on the bottle above the brand name.

Tip of the Week: Family Night Out

Dinner out with your toddler is usually far from relaxing, but now on Tuesday evenings you and your husband can get a little break at D'Agostino's Wrigleyville location where Smarty Pants will entertain your tot with free balloon art and a show. The show is from 6-8 p.m. at 1351 W. Addison and includes free ice cream for the kids!

Tip of the Week: Advice on your iPhone

Check out "Manic Mommies", a podcast that you can download for free from iTunes. It is based on the lives of Erin Kane and Kristin Brandt, two working mothers trying to do it all. Listen as they discuss their successes as well as their failures in the quest to be super mom. The show features honest, hilarious chats about the balancing act that we all go through. In addition, it features regular advice from parenting coach Kathy and Pediatrician, Dr. Rob. I recommend checking it out, their advice will definitely hit home!

Tip of the Week: Manageable Manicure

It never fails that just before a family visit or having my daughter’s picture taken, she scratches herself. When I brought her home from the hospital, I was thrilled when someone gave us mittens for her tiny hands to prevent it from happening. Unfortunately, they only stayed on her hands for a moment before she shook them off.

Since mittens are not a long-term solution, it was eventually time to give her nails a trim. Someone had given me a first-year nail kit for babies, and although I was enthusiastic about its success, my daughter had other ideas… it quickly went from manicure to wrestling match. The end result was a screaming baby with bleeding nails cut to the quick. I felt absolutely horrible! Years later I realize that accidents like this happen to the best of us, but it is a difficult lesson to learn.

My big solution and what I recommend to other moms is to cut your child’s nails when they are asleep! I also learned to err on the side of caution, being careful not to cut them too short and to take care off any sharp edges with a small, purse-sized file. This was so much easier… and another parenting disaster avoided!

A Special Announcement from Bubbles Academy Co-Founder and Owner

Dear Parents,

It's a girl! My family and I are excited to announce the birth of our third child, Kalista.

We are settling in to our new-baby routine, but this time around there is one notable difference. Although my wife, Kristine, is still breast feeding, she is using pumps and bottles. This gives me the chance to step in and feed Kalista part of each night. Yes, this means I'm a whole lot more tired, but it is well worth it to have this special time with our newest addition in a way that I couldn't with my first two children!

To nurse or not to nurse, to bottle feed or use formula --- many people have passionate feelings on the subject. Check out this recent Time article "Mothers Who Opt for Breast Milk, Not Breast-Feeding" by Catherine Sharick on the very same topic.

I'm wondering how you, the parents of Bubbles Academy, feel about all of this. Let me know by leaving your comments below!

Gratefully and Exhaustedly Yours,
Gregoire Klees-Johnson
Bubbles Academy Co-Founder and Owner

Tip of the Week: Why Children Hit, Shove and Bite

I remember picking my three-year-old daughter up from one of her first drop-off experiences and being told by the teacher that my daughter had bitten one of the other children. The teacher said she wasn’t sure who the child was, but that she would let me know after she spoke to the other teacher. Of course I was mortified, but my friend and I laughed as we put our daughter’s coats on and discussed how to handle what was inevitably something that all parents would have to go through. Then the laughter abruptly stopped as the teacher came over to explain to me that my daughter had actually bitten my friend’s daughter... awkward!! After that, lunch was a little uncomfortable to say the least. I couldn’t understand what would have possessed my sweet little girl to do something like that, especially to her friend!

So, why do toddlers bite, hit and shove their peers when it is so socially unacceptable to their parents? According to W. George Scott, Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Child Development at Tufts University, “Just as it is with adults, when kids are irritable it's harder for them to control themselves. To develop into maturity is to learn good ways to deal with one's anger and frustrations. But none of us does that on our own."

According to Michelle Borba, Educational Consultant, Ed.D, and author of "No More Misbehaving", "Some little critters just don't have that inner regulatory system yet," she says. "They will continue to hit if you don't stop it. We forget that aggression can very easily become a habit, just like whining and talking back."

I have had time now both as a mother and teacher to think about this, and while I believe all of this to be true, I think a good deal of this comes from the child’s lack of ability to communicate their frustration or fears. Also, with young children, they are constantly testing boundaries to see what will happen if they do something, and unfortunately for parents that includes unacceptable behavior.

Since “the biting incident”, as it is fondly referred to at our house, I’ve learned the following things about behavior both as a parent and as a teacher of toddlers.

1) Even if it is an isolated incident, address the behavior immediately.
2) Get down on the child’s level and explain to them calmly yet with intent that this behavior is unacceptable.
3) Ask them if they understand what they did wrong, and to apologize to their friend.
4) Do not address aggression with aggression. You should be a good role model for you child.
5) Ask your child what they should do next time, instead of hitting or biting their friend, when they become upset about something.

Most importantly, do not brush off bad behavior. As difficult as it can be as a parent, every time you disregard bad behavior or “pick your battles” you are telling your child that the bad behavior was acceptable, and they will continue to do it.

Looking for even more information? Click here for an article all about child aggression.

Tip of the Week: Talking to Nanny

You've just hired a new caregiver and you immediately begin to compose a list of instructions for them... but then you second-guess yourself. How much information is too much information? You don't want to come across as Mrs. X, the mother from "The Nanny Diaries", but this is your first born child.

Take a moment to look at your situation from your caregiver's perspective. What would you want to know? What would you want your "employer", the woman of the house, to know about you?

Concentrate on opening the lines of communication. This two-way street is an important part of every relationship, including the caregiver and parent relationship. We can improve the lives of our children, our caregiver and ourselves if we can just understand how to communicate our needs.

Click here for a great article from the New York Times on how to speak to your nanny.

Good luck moms!

Tip of the Week: Favorite Things

One important thing I have learned as a mom: buy multiples! If your child has a favorite item, do yourself a favor and buy one or more "back-ups" of the item. You and your child will avoid a meltdown if, God forbid, you misplace your child’s “blankie” or “binkie” (which will inevitably happen)!

A few years ago I was in Walt Disney World with my daughter, and to my horror I watched as her last “binkie” fell through the crack of the pier into the canal below. My daughter was hysterical, and unfortunately she didn’t buy my story that the baby alligators would take care of it for her. Then of course I became upset too, because we had a three-hour plane ride ahead of us with no “binkies”!

The moral of the story is that it is better to be safe than sorry! Have several of your child’s favorite thing on hand at all times. You can never have too many, especially if it avoids the dreaded meltdown!

Tip of the Week: Stain Remover

As a mother, I have learned to dread doing laundry. Watermelon and formula became my archenemies when it came to stain removal. One day I read in a magazine about a stain remover called "Fels-Naptha". Now there is not a stain that can make it past my laundry room!

This stain remover, which I am told can also be used for treatment of Poison Ivy, looks similar to a bar of soap and has been used for close to 100 years. You can purchase it by visiting www.soapsgonebuy.com. Trust me, it really works!