Tiny Playground

April 2010 Newsletter

2010-04-28T09:09:00.005-04:00

Here's a copy of my April Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

Dear Friends,

In this month's newsletter you can read the newest Mom Guide about getting rid of the pacifier, meet the mom of the month, and see last month's cutest baby. I also have a gorgeous butterfly mobile to give to one of my subscibers.

Enter My Giveaway for a Butterfly Mobile
All of my subscribers (that's YOU if you just got this email) are automatically eligible to win this really cute butterfly mobile for your nursery or playroom.

All you have to do is go to the contest page and add a comment saying you want it. That's it. I'll pick the winner by random on May 17, 2010.

How to Get Rid of the Pacifier
My newest mom guide explains all about The Pacifier Fairy which is one method of getting rid of the pacifier.

Mom of the Month
The April Mom of the Month is Jamie Roethlisberg who is mom to 8 month old Savannah.

Cutest Baby
Last month I really encouraged you to enter new baby photos into the cute baby contest, and you listened! So here's Landon, who received the highest votes for the month of April.

Remember, you can't see your cutie in my newsletter unless you upload a photo and vote like crazy!

See you next month!

Adrienne Shulman
adrienne@tinyplayground.com
tinyplayground.com - help for new moms everywhere

P.S. You may be receiving this newsletter because you recently posted a comment or a baby photo on TinyPlayground and I thought you would be interested in receiving my monthly newsletter. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time, I have a 100% no spam policy!

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March 2010 Newsletter

2010-03-10T16:42:00.005-05:00

Here's a copy of my March Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

Dear Friends,

Happy Spring Everyone!! This newsletter is going to be short & sweet so I can get back to the playground with my kids :)

Important Infantino Sling Recall Announcement
This week Infantino recalled a million of their baby slings after the Consumer Product Safety Commission discovered three infant deaths occurred in the slings in 2009. The company is asking you to immediately stop using the sling and return it for a replacement product.

If you own this sling you can process your return online at http://service.infantino.com/UnitedStatesRecalls.html. I did it this week and it was a very simple process - they are paying for return postage (you don't have to send the whole sling, just cut a piece of it off) and I chose a different type of baby carrier but you can also choose a play mat or shopping cart seat cover.

Request for all you Mommies with Nannies
People are always asking what the going rate is for a full time babysitter or nanny. It seems like the best way to find out is to ask around and see what other people are paying. With that in mind, I put together this really simple page to collect & share this info.

So will all you mommies with nannies take 2 minutes (or less) and answer a few questions about how much you pay your sitter? You can post completely anonymously. Many heartfelt thanks!!

Mom of the Month
Our Mom of the Month is Nicole Bohorad who is the Chief Marketing Officer for the new recommendation site Parentville.com. Nicole brings a unique perspective to first time mommyhood with her experience with an emergency delivery at 28 weeks.

Cutest Baby
For the FIFTH time since I started keeping track, this baby is the cutest! Starting next month I'll be implementing a new restriction that the cutest baby of each month cannot be a previous winner... so everyone go upload a new picture!!

"MY FIRST PATTU PAAVAADAI"

Remember, you can't see your cutie in my newsletter unless you upload a photo and vote like crazy!

See you next month!

Adrienne Shulman
adrienne@tinyplayground.com
tinyplayground.com - help for new moms everywhere

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February 2010 Newsletter

2010-02-11T15:45:00.012-05:00

Here's a copy of my February Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

Dear Friends,

As part of my 2010 New Year’s resolutions I made a huge list of new enhancements and article ideas to make the website an even better resource for you as a new mom. And I was so excited to get started with them all. But here it is, time for my February newsletter, and I haven’t made any progress at all!

The main reason I haven’t started my work is because my OS crashed last month and it has taken forever to get my computer back up & running. I was finally ready to get back to work this week, but instead I spent two days sick in bed and a third day looking after a sick 3 year old (thank goodness for Noggin). Then we got hit with a blizzard and the babysitter couldn’t make it in. Another day lost.

But you know what? I’m okay with it.

It reminds me of a lesson that I’m sure you have all learned as parents. That if you want to survive in this game of parenthood you have to be flexible and let go of your expectations. You can’t control everything – sleep regression, nursing strikes, ear infections, stomach viruses, and tantrums (especially tantrums!) will show up at very inconvenient times for you and can’t just be ignored. And so we take a deep breath, handle the situation whether it takes 10 minutes or 10 days, and move on.

And with that said, let’s move on to the site updates.

Mom of the Month
When I first started this feature last July I intended to feature only parents whose first child was under 12 months. You’ll see that our February mom has a 2 year old in addition to her baby, but I don’t think her story is any less valuable now than if she wrote it right after her first was born. And so after letting go of my expectation (see lesson above) I’m proud to introduce Megan, her son Samuel and daughter Skylee.

5 Insanely Easy Dinner Ideas That Do Not Include Gerber Graduates

For those in between nights when you want to do something a little healthier than Gerber Graduates but don't feel like cooking a gourmet meal for your toddler.

Cutest Baby
Here’s the baby that got the highest average rating in January.

"Akshaya Parvathy"

Remember, you can't see your cutie in my newsletter unless you upload a photo and vote like crazy!

See you next month!

Adrienne Shulman
adrienne@tinyplayground.com
tinyplayground.com - help for new moms everywhere

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January Newsletter

2010-01-20T14:32:00.010-05:00

Here's a copy of my January Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

Dear Friends,

Here's a listing of some of the new articles, blog posts and photos of the last month:

Toddler Tantrums

This is the first article in my new series about toddler tantrums. Anyone with a toddler between 12 and 24 months knows the terrible twos starts way before 2 years! This article offers practical advice to help avoid tantrums - it's easy to follow and it really works! I'd love for you to try this technique and then come back let me know how it worked for you.

Mom of the Month
Come meet Stacey the January Mom of the Month and her adorable son Oliver. I swear I have never met anyone who describes birthing the way she does!

Blog Post About Land of Nod's Customer Service

Last month I wrote a blog post recognizing the Land of Nod for their outstanding customer service. You can read all about it and if you have ever ordered anything from them I'd love to hear about your experience - good or bad - by adding your comments to the page.

Cutest December 2009 Baby
"My First Pattu Paavaadai" receives top honors again as the baby that received the highest average rating for the month of December.

Remember, you can't see your cutie in my newsletter unless you upload a photo and vote like crazy!

See you next month!

Adrienne Shulman
adrienne@tinyplayground.com
tinyplayground.com - help for new moms everywhere

unsubscribe my replying with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line

December Newsletter - Happy Birthday Edition

2009-12-16T10:43:00.008-05:00

Here's a copy of my December Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

This is a very special edition of my newsletter because it marks the 1 year anniversary of the official launch of TinyPlayground! In addition to the Mom of the Month and Cutest Baby Photo, I'm pleased to share some stats to show how much the site (just like a baby) has grown in just 12 short months, with thanks in no small part to all of you who have helped spread the word.

Happy Birthday Stats

See how much we've grown together. In the course of one year:

TinyPlayground has welcomed over 58,000 visitors who have viewed a total of over 300,000 pages.

Over 2,000 people have downloaded my newborn breastfeeding chart.

Over 700 people have downloaded my solid food chart and potty training charts.

This newsletter now goes out to over 200 people, up from around 60 who receieved the first newsletter in April.

There are now 122 baby photos in the Cute Baby Gallery which have logged over 55,000 votes.

26 moms have added tips to the Mom to Mom feature which show up all over the web on other blogs and homepages.

87 people have joined in the conversation and left comments on the site.

And 41 people have used the free classified ads to advertise their business, service or opportunity.

Mom of the Month: Meet Melissa and baby Casey
I'm proud to introduce you to the December Mom of the Month who just happens to be my best friend from college and my sister in law!

Cutest November 2009 Baby
"My First Pattu Paavaadai" receives top honors yet again as the baby that received the highest average rating for the month of November.

Remember, you can't see your cutie in my newsletter if you don't upload a photo and start rating baby photos.

Finally I'd like to extend warm holiday wishes to you and your families!

See you next month!

Adrienne Shulman
adrienne@tinyplayground.com
tinyplayground.com - help for new moms everywhere

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Recognizing Good Customer Service: The Land of Nod

2009-11-24T10:45:00.004-05:00

The Customer Service Bar Is Set Low

Good customer service is so rare these days. In fact, just yesterday I had such a frustrating conversation with an AT&T rep about freezing my plan (twice she cut me off and yelled at me to let her talk & explain) that I had to hang up on her. And yes it was annoying, but the customer service bar has been set so low by large corporations we've come to expect and somehow tolerate these experiences.

Thank You to The Land Of Nod

And so with that in mind I want to recognize The Land of Nod for consistently exceeding my expectations in the customer service arena. The internet is full of people ranting about corporations and yes, that serves a good purpose, but I think it's also important to call out the good guys too. Let them know that we appreciate the way they do business. And if maybe proving good customer service costs more in the short term, then it will pay off in the long term with repeat customers and referrals. Just in the last 5 days I've recommended the land of nod to 2 friends looking to buy bedroom furniture for their kids who are outgrowing their cribs.

What Makes Them Special?

So maybe you want to know what the land of nod did to warrant such praise? Well truthfully it wasn't any one thing... maybe they did a few things (see below) that seemed to be above & beyond but primarily it was that every interaction was pleasant. It was the consistency of their customer service that made me realize it wasn't just an accident. They are doing something right.

Details Please

The year I bought Alex's full bedroom set I received a children's CD around holiday time thanking me for my business. Of course my initial reaction was "guess this means we overpaid." But after dealing with the company over the last 2 years I've come to realize they really are appreciative of their customers. And their prices (and catalog for that matter) are almost identical to pottery barn kids.
I ordered an art table with a paper roller and when I assembled it I discovered the paper roller didn't fit properly. They were so helpful and kind over the phone and sent me out a new one right away. And they told me it was OK to use the defective one while I was waiting. They weren't worried it would have crayon all over it, they just wanted to make sure I was a happy customer.

When the second paper roller didn't fit they sent yet another one. When I discovered I was doing it wrong (yes I'm embarrassed) they happily sent prepaid postage for me to send back the 2 extra rollers they sent me.
And finally earlier this year I was looking for extra paper rolls for the above mentioned activity table. They cost 9 bucks on their website plus shipping & handling. Kinda expensive. I looked for cheaper styles online and at office supply stores but couldn't find anything that would work.

So I reached out directly to the company over Twitter and asked if they ever go on sale or offer free shipping. And immediately they sent me back a coupon code for free shipping. How cool are they? And guess what? I spent $100 on their site that day buying up 10 extra paper rolls.

So this is just a formal thank you to land of nod. Here is one customer that appreciates the way you treat your customers. It has not gone unnoticed.

What Companies Do You Want to Thank?

Now what about you? Are there any companies that have gone above & beyond what you expect with regard to customer service? Leave a comment and thank them here.

November Newsletter

2009-11-18T20:03:00.007-05:00

Here's a copy of my November Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

This month newsletter brings you the November Mom of the Month, the Cutest October Baby and a very exciting announcement about TinyPlayground.

Mom of the Month
Meet Jessica and her 3 month old Cameron.

Cutest October 2009 Baby
"Bubble Jacuzzi" receives top honors as the baby that received the highest average rating for the month of October.

If you forgot to upload a photo of your cutie in his/her halloween costume it's not too late.

The Big Announcement: TinyPlayground 2.0
I have spent many late nights over the past few months working on a redesign for TinyPlayground and I'm proud to finally announce the official launch!!

The new site features a streamlined look with simple navigation along the top and left hand side of every page. There is less crowding on the pages and more room for all the practical resources that TinyPlayground is becoming famous for.

Perhaps the best new feature is the SEARCH functionality located on the top right hand corner of every single page. Can't find that page with the best baby books? Use the search box. Looking for an article on sleep training, stroller recommendations, allergies, mommy & me classes or any other baby topic? Use the search box. It's powered by google so you can count on it being fast & effective.

I would love to hear your feedback about the new site design (or anything else you've seen or would like to see on tinyplayground). So drop me a line, or you can leave a comment on the blog.

See you next month!

Adrienne Shulman
adrienne@tinyplayground.com
tinyplayground.com - help for new moms everywhere

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October Newsletter

2009-10-27T21:52:00.000-04:00

Here's a copy of my October Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

Dear Friends,

With the October newsletter I’m pleased to bring you 2 new articles on sleep (always a popular topic among new parents), the October Mom of the Month, and an article on natural childbirth.

Daylight Saving Time Sleep Tips for Baby
Do you remember when setting your clocks back an hour meant you could get an extra hour of sleep? Unfortunately for us, babies aren’t aware of daylight saving and this means you might find yourself getting up an hour early with your baby. Try these tips for managing your baby’s sleep during daylight saving time this weekend.

October is SIDS Awareness Month
The sleep experts from Dream Team Baby bring us 5 easy to follow tips for safe sleeping.

Mom of the Month
Meet Alexandra the October Mom of the Month.

Increase Your Chance at Natural Childbirth
Whether you plan on delivering at a birthing center, hospital, or at home, here are 10 tips for increasing your chance at having a natural childbirth.

September Cute Baby

Next week don’t forget to submit your babies in their Halloween costumes to the photo contest!

I know I will be adding a butterfly and a tiger myself.

See you next month!

Adrienne Shulman
adrienne@tinyplayground.com
tinyplayground.com - help for new moms everywhere

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What Causes Separation Anxiety?

2009-09-24T12:40:00.006-04:00

I've been thinking a lot about separation anxiety lately. With regard to separation, my 2 daughters could not be more different - Alex never ever ever had a problem leaving her mama but Sienna has a very hard time with separation, to the point where she cries every morning when I leave her (with her own father, mind you) to use the bathroom for 5 seconds.

I'm sure the behavior difference is just caused by 2 different set of genes which have combined to form 2 very different personalities. Yep, pretty sure that's all it is.

But could it be something else?

After Alex's birth at Roosevelt Birthing Center in NYC she remained in my arms or in a bassinet by the side of my bed for pretty much the first 24 hours of her life.

2 years later when Sienna was born at St Vincent's hospital, also in NYC, she was swept away from her mama to sit under some lights all alone for 4 hours in the nursery because her body temperature was low. Now I'm not trying to be over dramatic, but one of her first experiences out of the womb could have been felt as abandonment.

So it makes me wonder... could having your newborn stay by your side for the first 24 hours of life make for a more confident baby and toddler later in life?

Now I want to hear your stories! Leave a comment and tell us if your baby stayed with you after delivery and what type of separation anxiety they experienced as babies/toddlers. I'd also love to hear from any experts in the field, anyone with a different perspective than mine.

September Newsletter

2009-09-22T16:58:00.001-04:00

Here's a copy of my September Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

Dear Friends,

Happy September everyone! Hope you enjoy this month's newsletter!

Mom to Mom: Tips and Advice From Other Moms

If you are pregnant or have a newborn, check out these awesome tips for surviving the first few weeks with a newborn. Or if you can proudly say you survived the newborn stage yourself, help out another new mom by adding your own advice which will appear throughout the site and on mom blogs throughout the web.

Have a blog? Add this piece of code to your sidebar to display a random mom tip from the Mom To Mom database:

Or add this widget to your iGoogle homepage for a randmom mom tip like this one added by Jennifer from Michigan:

"Don't feel bad about telling visitors to stay away and give you your space for awhile. But on the flip side if you have people offering to bring you meals, take them. Anything that can free up more time for you to get to know your baby better is a blessing."

Mom of the Month is Crystal Lara

Come meet Crystal Lara our September Mom of the Month (previously known as "TinyPlayground Interviews..."). Crystal is mom to twins who turn one next week!

Cutest Baby August

"Lil' Blue Eyes" takes top honors as the Cutest Baby for the month of August:

Correction on Nap Schedules

I got a ton of emails about last month's article on transitioning your 12-15 month old to 1 nap from moms with 16,17, and even 18 month olds struggling with the transition. After speaking with both my children's pediatrician and the tinyplayground consulting pediatrician, it seems that the age range for moving to 1 nap is really between 12 and 18 months, with an average of 15 months.

I'd love for moms or dads to share their stories about transitioning their toddlers from 2 naps to 1 by leaving a comment on the page.

Hugs & Kisses!

See you next month!

Adrienne Shulman

adrienne@tinyplayground.com

tinyplayground.com - help for new moms everywhere

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August Newsletter

2009-08-26T21:36:00.003-04:00

Here's a copy of my August Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

Dear Friends,

In this month’s newsletter I am featuring 3 new articles, a new interview and of course the cutest baby from July.

TinyPlayground Interviews… Amanda!
You asked for more interviews and I listened. Read Amanda’s answers to the 15 questions I ask new moms and dads. And if you have a baby under 12 months and would like to be a future interview candidate just send your answers in an email to me.

Transitioning to One Nap
Here’s my advice on how best to handle the transition your baby will make from 2 naps to 1 nap – usually between 12 and 15 months.

Baby Colds – When to Call the Doctor
Do you know that a typical baby might catch 10 different cold viruses a year? So if it seems your baby or toddler has a runny nose about once a month, you aren’t imagining it. This article tells you when you should call your pediatrician for the common cold.

Breastfeeding & Nutrition
Nutritionist Cynthia Hill who specializes in counseling pregnant and breastfeeding women wrote this article about breastfeeding and nutrition just for my readers! She is also offering you a free health consultation – just mention TinyPlayground when you contact her.

July’s Cutest Baby
Here’s the cutest baby from last month. Isn’t it fitting that we get a beach shot for our summer month?

Hugs & Kisses!
See you next month!

Adrienne Shulman
adrienne@tinyplayground.com

P.S. You may be receiving this newsletter because you recently posted a comment or a baby photo on TinyPlayground and I thought you would be interested in receiving my monthly newsletter. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time, I have a 100% no spam policy!

tinyplayground.com - help for new moms everywhere
think your baby is the cutest? join the fun - no registration required
tell a friend

July Newsletter

2009-07-30T10:28:00.005-04:00

Here's a copy of my July Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the July edition of the TinyPlayground newsletter!

TinyPlayground Interviews… Denis!
This month brings the launch of a new feature where I interview a new mom or dad. The first interview is with New Dad Denis and you can read his answers to my 15 questions on topics ranging from pregnancy to childbirth to favorite baby gear right here: http://www.tinyplayground.com/newmoms/TinyPlaygroundInterviews/Denis/tabid/165/Default.aspx.

If you would like to be featured in an upcoming interview read the instructions here: http://www.tinyplayground.com/newmoms/TinyPlaygroundInterviews/tabid/164/Default.aspx.

The Risks of Medical Intervention During Pregnancy
I am honored to report that an article I wrote on the risks of medical intervention during pregnancy was featured in this month’s Natural Birth and Baby Care newsletter. I would love to know what you think of my story: http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/risks-of-medical-intervention-during-pregnancy.html.

Who is the June Cutest Baby?
Here’s the cute baby that won top honors for the month of June:

I’d like to give a special thanks to my twitter followers that helped me reach my goal of 10 newly added pictures this Tuesday. Thanks for the love. Read my post script if you’d rather not receive future updates from me.

Don't forget to upload a photo of your baby and have fun rating other cute babies. http://www.tinyplayground.com/newmoms/BabyPhotos/CuteBabyPhotosUpload.aspx

See you next month!

Adrienne Shulman
adrienne@tinyplayground.com
http://twitter.com/tinyplayground

P.S. You may be receiving this newsletter because you recently posted a comment or a baby photo on TinyPlayground and I thought you would be interested in receiving my monthly newsletter. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time, I have a 100% no spam policy!

tinyplayground.com - help for new moms everywhere
think your baby is the cutest? join the fun - no registration required
find the coolest baby gifts around
tell a friend

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Breastfeeding and Nutrition

2009-07-09T14:07:00.004-04:00

Note from Adrienne: This article was contributed by Cynthia Hill (cynthia@fyicynthia.com), a certified Health & Nutrional Counselor and is also published on my site.

BREASTFEEDING AND NUTRITION
Back to Nature

Written by Cynthia Hill, HC, AADP
Health & Nutritional Counselor
Email: cynthia@fyicynthia.com

When I was pregnant with my son Caden, I read every book I could get my hands on that had to do with breastfeeding. I remember my husband and I being so excited about attending our first Lamaze class! During the class the instructor asked how many of us plan to breastfeed. Well, of course my arm shot up so fast as if I was to win a prize for being the first! As I looked around, I noticed that out of the 10 couples that were there, only 2 moms had their hand up (I being one of them). I was shocked! Why wouldn’t any mom want to breastfeed their baby? After the class I approached my instructor and inquired to see if this was common. To my surprise she said even though breastfeeding is making a comeback, many refrain, not because of having to do so but because of choice and convenience!

That really got me to thinking. When you’re pregnant you try to dot your I’s and cross your T’s to make sure you are eating right for you and your baby. Most of us try to “insure” our bodies to nourish our little one in the belly by taking prenatal vitamins. Once our bundle of joy has entered their new world, they are tiny helpless little individuals and in the beginning require complete dependence on mommy. When you look at them, it’s not hard to fall in love. Giving food is one of our primary means of expressing such love. There is nothing in the world that can duplicate the reassurance of love that is conveyed when a baby’s food is accompanied by the face, hand or breast of a loving parent. There is no better food you can give your newborn child than breast milk.

I won’t spend a lot on why some mothers have chosen not to breast feed their child. Each mother must make a choice for what works for them and their baby. One of the reasons I wrote this article is to share with you the benefits of breastfeeding. So for even those remotely interested, please read on and enjoy!

Breast is Best

My mother breastfed all of her children and I must say, there were very (did I mention very?) few times we were sick. Of course, the occasional cold but we had no ear infections, immunological disorders to say the least. There is no better food you can provide for your bundle of joy than breast milk. After all, your milk has been designed specifically for your baby! Imagine that! It’s free, easily accessible and is 100% natural! Every year a new study appears finding some nutrient or immunological factor found in breast milk that cannot be duplicated in a laboratory.

But let’s get down to the nitty gritty of breastfeeding!

Benefits for Babies, Moms, and Families*

Breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of these health problems:

For Baby:

Ear infections
Stomach viruses
Diarrhea
Respiratory infections
Atopic dermatitis
Asthma
Obesity
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Childhood leukemia
Sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS
Necrotizing enterocolitis, a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in pre-term infants

For Mommy:

Type 2 diabetes
Breast cancer
Ovarian cancer
Postpartum depression (PPD)

*Taken from www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding part of the U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices

TOP 10 REASONS BREASTFEEDING IS GOOD FOR YOU AND BABY

Breast milk is different from infant formula. Colostrum, the thick yellow first breast milk that you make during pregnancy and just after birth, will give your baby the best start at life. It is known as "liquid gold." It is very rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby as he or she first enters the world. Although your baby only gets a small amount of colostrum at each feeding, it matches the amount his or her tiny stomach can hold. A newborn stomach is only the size of a large marble at first!
It’s self-adaptable! Your milk changes over time to meet your baby's needs. Your breast milk that begins to be made by the third to fifth day after birth has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth. It will be a thinner type of milk, but just as full of all of the nutrients and antibodies for your baby.
Easy to digest! Babies have a harder time than digesting the the proteins in formula
because they are made from cow's milk.
Peace of Mind. When you breastfeed, there are no bottles and nipples to sterilize. Unlike human milk straight from the breast, infant formula has a chance of being contaminated.
Breastfeeding makes your life easier. You do not have to purchase, measure, and mix formula. There are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night!
Saves you moolah! Breastfeeding can save you between $1,160 and $3,915 per
year, depending on the brand of formula.
Available on demand! A mother can satisfy her baby's hunger right away with
breastfeeding.
Bonding time! Breastfeeding requires a mother to take some quiet relaxed time for herself and her baby, helping them bond. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm, and comforted. Breastfeeding mothers may have increased self-confidence and feelings of closeness and bonding with their infants.
Breastfeeding during an emergency can save lives. (see www.llli.org/emergency.html)
It just is!!!!

There’s so much more on this topic but I’ve got to stop here so that I can share more stuff with
you!

BREAST MILK NOURISHES BABY, WHAT NOURISHES MOMMY?

Sometimes women, who have been so conscious of eating right during pregnancy, forget, during nursing, that their bodies still need proper nutrition for both themselves and their baby. I remember when I had my son I was sleep deprived and exhausted. As overwhelming as the care entrusted to my husband and I of this tiny little life, I knew I had to make sure I took care of myself so that I could give my all to him. That included being conscious of what I ate. The substances taken in by the nursing mother have a strong effect on the milk she produces.

For instance, foods eaten by mom sometimes disagree with the breastfed child; especially
caffeine, very spicy foods, supplements high in iron and even dairy.

So just how does one know what to eat?

Please keep in mind that high-quality breast milk doesn’t require you to eat perfectly balanced (I don’t know anyone that eats PERFECTLY BALANCED…after all, we’re human right?) There is plenty of leeway for us to be sensible.

No one diet works for anyone. This is so important because it is up to you to know your body. We all know that eating a balanced diet filled with lots of whole foods, fruits and veggies is important. But you have to know what works for you, not what everyone else is doing. Remember: We eat the way we live. No one diet works for anyone. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, carnivorous or still trying to figure it out, below you will find some great foods to keep in mind while breastfeeding. These go up and beyond in providing you with the calcium, protein, iron, folic acid, vitamin A and vitamin C.

Keep these foods in mind when shopping for your health

WHOLE GRAINS - Barley, Brown Rice, Millet, Oats (whole) Quinoa
VEGETABLES - Any dark green or orange leafy vegetable like Kale, Swiss Chard, Collard Greens, Bok Choy
SEA VEGETABLES - Arame, Dulse, Hijaki
LEGUMES - Black beans, chickpeas, fermented soy foods, lentils, lima beans, split peas, etc.
FRUITS - Berries, grapes, grapefruit, lemons, oranges, peaches, etc. (Take note if citrus fruits bothers baby)
NUTS AND SEEDS - Almonds, flaxseed, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and walnuts
DAIRY - Organic kefir, sour cream, yogurt and aged cheeses from grass-fed cows if possible, some enjoy fresh goat milks and cheeses
FISH* - Wild-caught fish, especially salmon.
POULTRY - Organic, free-range poultry and eggs
MEAT* - Organic, grass-fed meats are full of more nutrients than meats from large factory farms

*Choose the best quality. With fish, try wild varieties with vibrant colors and pick fish that smells fresh like the ocean. Still unsure about the quality of meat and fish available at your local store, ask the butcher or fishmonger for assistance in making the best choice!

My Motto: Eat Right. Feel Good. Live Well.
Don’t worry, I’ll help you get started!
MY SPECIAL OFFER TO YOU
To everyone reading this, I am offering a free health consultation to help you to jumpstart your healthy diet and lifestyle! Please go to http://www.fyicynthia.com/ to sign up.

Here’s a great recipe to try:

Recipe: Mom’s On the Go Smoothie
Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:
1 banana
1 cup soy or rice milk
1/2 cup organic nonfat plain yogurt (optional)
1/2 cup instant Irish oatmeal (McCann's is my favorite!)
A handful of any of the dark green leafy vegetables (Kale, Swiss Chard, Bok Choy, etc.)
1 cup berries fresh or frozen
2 ice cubes (I don't use this if I use frozen berries)

Directions:
1. Mix in blender for 1-2 minutes and serve.

Note: You can add other ingredients for added nutrition such as
a spoonful of bee pollen, coconut oil, flax seed oil, spirulina powder or a scoop of protein
powder.

So give it a try and let me know how this has worked for you or if you have found other ways, I’d love to hear from you! Shoot me an email at: cynthia@fyicynthia.com. Learn how food, diet and lifestyle can have a tremendous impact on your overall health, happiness and well-being! All subscribers to this newsletter will receive a FREE health consultation with me! Make sure you mention this offer at Tiny Playground when you respond!

The copyright of the article Breastfeeding and Nutrition Back to Nature in Tiny Playground is owned by Cynthia Hill. Permission to republish Breastfeeding and Nutrition Back to Nature in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Announcing TinyPlayground's Interview with a New Parent!

2009-07-08T09:51:00.003-04:00

Starting this month I am going to be introducing a new feature where I interview a new mom or dad. Hearing stories from experienced parents can help new and expecting parents deal with the challenges that a new baby brings.

If you have a baby under 12 months and would like to be featured in an upcoming interview please copy and paste the following questions with your answers into an email, attach a photo of you and/or your baby, and send them to adrienne@tinyplayground.com. You don't have to answer every question and you should feel free to write as much as you like. The questions may change from time to time, but these are the one's I'll start with:

What is your name, your baby's name, and baby's age?
How was your (or your partner's) pregnancy?
How did you prepare for childbirth?
Was your birthing experience easier, harder or as you expected it to be?
What one piece of advice would you give to expecting parents about childbirth?
Describe the first 7 days with your newborn
Bottle or Breast?
Who is on diaper duty?
What resource was the most helpful to you during the first 2 months (book, website, person, anything)
Was there an age when it "suddenly got easier"?
What type of stroller do you use?
What was the best newborn gift you received?
What is your current can't-live-without gear for baby?
Are you getting any "me" time?
What did you find most surprising about your newborn?

You may also include a short bio that I will display beneath your interview questions. If you have a website or blog you would like to link to you can include it as well.

Natural Childbirth Quotes

2009-07-07T20:10:00.004-04:00

The recent news that the C-Section rate in Miami-Dade has reached over 50% has me quite troubled. Now, I've thought for some time that our country's birthing culture is in crisis but seeing these startling statistics makes me realize it's not just in my head.

I'm a strong believer in natural childbirth. I don't believe in the "no pain no gain" mantra, and if there really was a way to eliminate the pain of labor and childbirth with no added risks I'd be all over it. But it doesn't exist. There are too many risks with any medical intervention (all of which have been well documented elsewhere) and it saddens me to see the medical community failing our women. And yes, I am saying the f-word when a healthy woman walks into a hospital carrying a full term baby and is more likely to deliver that baby via c-section than vaginally.

When I started TinyPlayground almost two years ago I wanted there to be a special section providing resources for expecting mothers interested in natural childbirth. That feature is still being built out, but in the spirit of that intention, here are some amazing quotes on natural childbirth that I found on the Giving Birth Naturally blog.

If you have a blog or website (or just a twitter account!) and share my interest in spreading information about the benefits of a natural childbirth please please please post share this post! And finally...the inspirational birthing quotes:

"Attending births is like growing roses. You have to marvel at the ones that just open up and bloom at the first kiss of the sun but you wouldn't dream of pulling open the petals of the tightly closed buds and forcing them to blossom to your time line." Gloria Lemay

"Midwives see birth as a miracle and only mess with it if there's a problem; doctors see birth as a problem and if they don't mess with it, it's a miracle!" Barbara Harper in Gentle Birth Choices

"Every [hospital] intervention is a lesson in who really owns your body and your baby's body." Jock Doubleday

"There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don't ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it." Sheryl Feldman

"Many Western doctors hold the belief that we can improve everything, even natural childbirth in a healthy woman. This philosophy is the philosophy of people who think it deplorable that they were not consulted at the creation of Eve, because they would have done a better job." Kloosterman 1994

"Treating normal labors as though they were complicated can become a self-fulfilling prophecy." Rooks

"Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are." Augustine

"The truth for women living in a modern world is that they must take increasing responsibility for the skills they bring into birth if they want their birth to be natural. Making choices of where and with whom to birth is not the same as bringing knowledge and skills into your birth regardless of where and with whom you birth." Common Knowledge Trust

"You are constructing your own reality with the choices you make...or don't make. If you really want a healthy pregnancy and joyful birth, and you truly understand that you are the one in control, then you must examine what you have or haven't done so far to create the outcome you want." Kim Wildner-Mother's Intention: How Belief Shapes Birth

"If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it." John H. Kennell, MD

"Unfortunately, the role of obstetrics has never been to help women give birth. There is a big difference between the medical discipline we call "obstetrics' and something completely different, the art of midwifery. If we want to find safe alternatives to obstetrics, we must rediscover midwifery. To rediscover midwifery is the same as giving back childbirth to women. And imagine the future if surgical teams were at the service of the midwives and the women instead of controlling them." Michel Odent, MD

"The best way to avoid a cesarean is to stay out of the hospital." Brooke Sanders Purves

"There is no scientific evidence that doing over 10 percent of births with a cesarean improves the outcome for the woman or improves the outcome for the baby." Dr. Marsden Wagner

"Mothers need to know that their care and their choices won't be compromised by birth politics." Jennifer Rosenberg

"Only about 15% of medical interventions are supported by solid scientific evidence...This is partly because only 1% of the studies in medical journals are scientifically sound and partly because many treatments have not been assessed at all." Richard Smith, editor of the British Medical Journal

"Reluctant doctors like to believe that they haven't much influence over their patients, but that is clearly not the case. Several studies have found that when doctors genuinely encouraged women to have VBACs, most of them did, and when they said nothing or acted neutral, most women didn't. Finally, when obstetricians discouraged VBAC in women who wanted to try it, none of them did." Henci Goer, Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth

"This whole situation [hospitals denying women the right to VBAC] is the result of the American College of OBGYN’s in 1999 changing their guidelines for VBAC in response to medical/legal concerns to require that a physician be immediately available during an entire VBAC labour. This has been interpreted by hospitals, especially those in the more rural areas, to require around the clock emergency cesarean capabilities. Now there are complications that can arise in any labour, even if there is no VBAC issue. So if a hospital isn’t safe enough for a mother to have a VBAC in, it’s not safe for her to have her baby in period. I understand that it is a risk/benefit analysis for the physicians in the hospitals and it’s all coming back to the bottom line, and that’s unconscionable." Tonya Jamois, president of ICAN, during an interview on Today, November 30, 2004

"Women's strongest feelings [in terms of their birthings], positive and negative, focus on the way they were treated by their caregivers." Annie Kennedy & Penny Simkin

"A study of interactions between women and obstetricians offers an explanation. It described three levels of increasing power imbalance: In the first, you fight and lose; in the second you don't fight because you know you can't win. However, in the highest level of power differential, your preferences are so manipulated that you act against your own interests, but you are content. Elective repeat cesarean exemplifies that highest level." Henci Goer, Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth

"Having a highly trained obstetrical surgeon attend a normal birth is analogous to having a pediatric surgeon babysit a healthy 2-year-old." M. Wagner

"When you have come to the edge of all the light you know and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to fly." Patrick Overter

These quotes were republished, with permission from Giving Birth Naturally.

Adrienne Shulman on The Mogul Mom

2009-06-20T18:21:00.001-04:00

My interview with Heather Allard of The Mogul Mom was featured on her blog today which also happens to be my birthday.

What do you think my answers?

June Newsletter

2009-06-18T09:41:00.001-04:00

Here's a copy of my June Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

Dear Friends,

As always I’d like to begin by extending a warm welcome to my new subscribers and I’d also like to thank all of my loyal friends and subscribers. I appreciate you joining me on my adventure to make TinyPlayground one of the best resources on the web for new moms. The traffic to the site grows each month so I want to thank you for helping me spread the word!

Best Baby Books – Story time is treasured time, so use this list to complete your baby book collection. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who added their favorite books to this list. (Purchases made through Amazon.com by clicking on one of the “purchase” links from my site helps support TinyPlayground.)

Top 10 Tips for Traveling with Baby This Summer – My top 10 travel tips were published on BabyChums.com earlier this month – check them out and leave a comment if you have a special tip to add.

Here is the cutest baby from the month of May:

Don't forget to upload a photo of your baby and have fun rating other cute babies.

See you next month!
Hugs & Kisses,Adrienne Shulman

P.S. You may be receiving this newsletter because you recently posted a comment or a baby photo on TinyPlayground and I thought you would be interested in receiving my monthly newsletter. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time, I have a 100% no spam policy!

tinyplayground.com - help for new moms everywhere

think your baby is the cutest? join the fun - no registration required

find the coolest baby gifts around
tell a friend

Top 10 Tips for Traveling With Baby This Summer

2009-06-04T17:06:00.003-04:00

Summer is here and just because you now have a baby doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a weekend away. Follow these ten tips for a successful trip.

Lather on the Sunblock. Yes, it’s nearly impossible to get complete sunblock coverage on a baby who just discovered how to crawl (or roll over, or walk), but it’s easier than consoling a sunburned baby. Trust me.
Limit Sun for Babies Under 6 Months. The best sun protection for babies under 6 months old is loose fitting cotton clothing and a wide brimmed hat. Try to limit sun exposure for very young babies by keeping them in the shade. You can do this by directing the stroller away from the sun or using a blanket to shield the direct rays.
Offer Lots to Drink. Offer extra breastmilk or formula to make sure baby stays well hydrated during hot summer days. For babies already on solid food, have a sippy cup of water on hand.
Keep the Metal Cool. Throw a blanket or burp cloth over the metal buckles of your car seat so when you return to the car baby doesn’t get burned.
Avoid Traffic. Summer traffic is unavoidable but you’ll be better off if you start your trip at night or very early in the morning when there are fewer cars on the road.
Stock the Car. If you aren’t traveling during baby’s nap or sleep time, make sure you stock the car with music, safe car toys (no choking hazards), and lots of snacks. I’ve reluctantly given up on keeping my car clean if it means less screaming kids during long drives.
Let the Schedule Slip a Little. It’s ok to let baby’s schedule slip a bit when you are on vacation. Even if your baby gets off schedule a little bit, it usually doesn’t take longer than a day or two to get back to his normal schedule.
Pack Appropriate Gear. The type of trip you are taking will determine which gear you’ll bring. Consider bringing your jogger stroller or bugaboo to the beach because you can push them over sand. Bring a backpack carrier to a lake house where there is hiking. Take just your umbrella stroller for a day at the zoo.
Don’t Forget the Baby Powder. Baby powder is a must have for the beach. It is the most effective way of cleaning sand out of baby’s hands, face, tush, legs, toes, and belly rolls. Pour a generous amount (more than you think you need) wherever you see sand and rub it in a little, and voila, no more sand.
Have Fun! This may be the most important tip of all. Traveling with a baby can be stressful at times, and most certainly requires more planning than traveling alone, but don’t get so worried about being away from your normal routine where it takes away from your fun.

What is your favorite summer travel tip? Use the comments form to share.

These tips have also been published on the pregnancy and baby portal babychums.com.

Enfamil Targets Breastfeeding Mothers

2009-06-02T14:54:00.005-04:00

Shame on you Enfamil for what you call your Breastfeeding Support Kit, which is really nothing more than a shady, predatory marketing scam.

Included in the Breastfeeding Support Kit is a sample of a DHA supplement, an excerpt from The Nursing Mother's Companion, and (surprise surprise) a sample of Enfamil baby formula - just in case you decide to supplement.

Anyone else sick of the endless pseudo support for breastfeeding from the formula giants? It's like they are all saying "breastfeeding is best" while winking and handing you sample after sample of their formula, each one formulated to be more like breastmilk (except a bit more expensive), and clinically proven to make your baby develop faster.

What do you think should be included in a breastfeeding support kit? And what do you think of this - is it a real benefit to nursing moms or just a marketing tactic? Use the comments link below...

May Newsletter

2009-05-21T12:11:00.003-04:00

Here's a copy of my May Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

Let me begin with a *warm* welcome to all my new subscribers. It will be a pleasure to bring you news and updates on TinyPlayground each month!

I am really excited to introduce my Newborn Breastfeeding Chart where you can record the time of each feeding and the number of wet and soiled diapers for the first week. Tracking wet diapers is very important for breastfed babies as it is the best way to “measure” how much your baby is eating. And the best way to ensure you have adequate milk supply is frequent feeding, at least 8-12 feedings every 24 hours for the first week. This page also features 8 important tips you won’t want to miss. This is a great resource for the brand new mom, so please forward it to any of your pregnant friends!

One of my current projects is building a list of the best books for your baby – ones that are fun to read, with good illustrations, and that keep baby entertained. So I’m calling on you to help me build this – use the comments form on this blog post to tell me what your favorite baby book is. You may post anonymously but make sure to tell me what you like about your favorite book. The best entries will be featured in the Product Reviews section of TinyPlayground.

Did you see April’s Cutest Baby? Get involved and upload a photo of your baby and then have fun rating other cute babies.

Have a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend!

hugs & kisses,
Adrienne Shulman

P.S. You may be receiving this newsletter because you recently posted a comment or a baby photo on TinyPlayground and I thought you would be interested in receiving my monthly newsletter. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time, I have a 100% no spam policy!

Celebrity Moms Give Advice

2009-05-14T14:53:00.008-04:00

In the May issue of American Baby Magazine, celebrity moms discuss the real-life parenting drama and issues that matter most to them. I loved the advice that Maggie Gyllenhaal and Nancy O'Dell give.

A lot of these celeb moms' advice and sentiment is aligned with what other non-celebrity moms have shared as their best mom advice on my website. It's great to see celebrity moms talk about breastfeeding and some of the challenges of motherhood.

On a side note, just a few reasons why I love Maggie Gyllenhaal. The movie Secretary. Her looks remind me of my sister. She gave birth at the Roosevelt Birthing Center (which happens to be the best place in NYC for those interested in natural childbirth). She bought my daughter a cookie.

Use the comments link and tell us:

Who is your favorite celebrity mom?
What advice would you give to a new mom?

What Are The Best Books for Your Baby?

2009-05-06T19:27:00.002-04:00

Here we go, moms. I'm working on a book recommendations page for TinyPlayground.com and need your help! Can you please use the comments form under this post and add your favorite book for babies 0-24 months and tell me why you like it. The best choices will be featured on The Best Baby Books page on my website. If you want to be notified when the page is complete leave your email address.

By the way, the 3 I started with are Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See, Hug, and My Friends.

What is your favorite?

April Newsletter

2009-04-16T13:55:00.006-04:00

Here's a copy of my April Newsletter in case you missed it. If you want this delivered to your inbox enter your email address to subscribe.

Dear Friends,

Let me begin with a *warm* welcome to all my new subscribers. It will be a pleasure to bring you news and updates on TinyPlayground each month!

New moms (and dads) are always anxious to know when their baby will start sleeping through the night. That precious milestone will most certainly come at some point during baby's first year – usually between 4 and 8 months. And I’m talking about the 12 hour stretch, not the 5-6 hour stretch which can come as early as 3-8 weeks. But no matter what age your baby is, it is never too early to start good sleeping habits. Check out my brand new page featuring the TOP 10 TIPS FOR CREATING A GREAT SLEEPER. And to the experienced parents – please use the comments form to add a sleeping tip to help other moms. http://www.tinyplayground.com/newmoms/MomGuides/Top10SleepTips/tabid/158/Default.aspx.

I am also excited to announce that I now have a pediatrician on board to review certain pages of my website and give her stamp of approval. She has already reviewed the solid food chart which SO MANY of you have downloaded this past month and hopefully are finding it useful. You can read more about Dr Romina Wancier here. http://www.tinyplayground.com/newmoms/HelpGuides/SolidFoodChartForBabies.aspxhttp://www.tinyplayground.com/newmoms/About/WhoWeAre/tabid/94/Default.aspx

I’ve also joined the world of blogging and micro-blogging. Check me out at http://tinyplayground.blogspot.com/ or follow me at http://twitter.com/tinyplayground.

Check out March’s Cutest Baby! Get involved and upload a photo of your baby and have fun rating other cute babies.

And finally, don’t forget about my FREE MOM CLASSIFIEDS – use this free service to sell or give away used baby gear, find a babysitter, or promote your business or service.
http://www.tinyplayground.com/NewMoms/NewMomClassifieds.aspx

hugs & kisses,
Adrienne Shulman

Hello World

2009-04-13T17:39:00.000-04:00

Finally created my blog as a companion to my recently launched website TinyPlayground.com. I'll be using the blog to:

Announce updates to the website
Give a permanent home to my monthly newsletters
Discuss my adventures in building and marketing my site to make tinyplayground the #1 destination for new moms.