Have you ever thought about signing your child up for yoga?  Hmmm…Let me guess, you’re thinking right about now, “if anyone needs a yoga class (think, relaxation), it’s me, not my kid.”  

Children’s yoga programs are catching on throughout the country. Why? Yoga is about strengthening the mind/body connection and creating balance.  For children, yoga means learning relaxation techniques, increasing flexibility, developing body awareness, and enhancing self-esteem.  In our fast-paced world, yoga gives children a chance to slow down, to focus on the moment, and think quietly–sounds like the benefits yoga offers grown-ups, too, don’t you think?  And, for children with ADD/ADHD, sensory integration dysfunction,  or autism, yoga is also thought to offer meaningful health benefits.

Beyond children-only classes, many yoga studios offer “mommy and me” yoga classes and family yoga classes.  Even baby can tag along with mom!  For moms and families, yoga classes make a nice complement to stroller walks and jogs–that’s good news, given that there’s no such thing as too much quality family time.

Does your child take yoga classes?  If so, do you recommend yoga for children and/or new moms?       

The flu has hit home. My household had a brush with what I thought was the flu a couple of weeks ago, but obviously it was not the flu. Maybe a cousin or distant relative, but a far cry from what has now taken up residence in my home. Lysol has become a good friend. Speaking of which, according to Dr. Jim Sears and Lysol, these are the five best things you can do to safeguard against the flu:

1. Frequent hand washing. Think soap and water, or hand sanitizer.
2. Regular surface disinfection. Disinfecting surfaces like counters, faucets and doorknobs keeps you healthy. I’ve been using Lysol wipes this time around–so much easier than pulling out separate cleaning products and towels.
3. Good nutrition and regular exercise. Eating well and exercising helps to boost your immune system, so you can better ward off illness.
4. Stay well-stocked. Keep cleaning supplies, soaps, and medicines on hand, so you have them when you need them. I’ve discovered kid-friendly “sore throat” lolli-pops are a good addition to the medicine chest.
5. Talk with your doctor, in advance. Discuss what, if any, steps you should take to stay healthy (e.g., flu shot) and learn what medicines you should keep in your home–so you are prepared when the cold or flu strikes.

Since I’m convinced that my toddler’s contact with a germ infested shopping cart has something to do with this plague, I think cart cover is a reasonable addition to the list. Oh, and add lots and lots of laundry detergent to the list, too.

What additions would you make to this list?

Several days back, I purged my cabinets of old grungy sippy cups, opting to replace the stash with BornFree Drinking Cups. BornFree products are free of Bisphenol-A, the chemical that is found in cups made from polycarbonate plastic. Studies have linked Bisphenol-A to reproductive health issues, among other health problems.

BornFree is not the only company to make Bisphenol-A free cups and bottles. thinkbaby offers a complete line of bottles and trainer cups.

For parents worried about toxic chemicals leaching from plastic baby products and their baby’s health, thinkbaby’s products are the answer to those worries. thinkbaby’s products are Free of Bisphenol-A, phthalates and lead. thinkbaby is also an environmentally conscious company–it uses eco-friendly packaging and even donates a portion of purchases to support the non-profit, Healthy Child Healthy World.

Baby-Wise carries a great selection of BornFree and thinkbaby products.

To learn more about growing international concerns over plastic baby bottles and sippy cups, check out this YouTube video.

In baby circles, Phthalates are the latest uh, oh. Just the look of the word sounds threatening–not to mention trying to pronounce it. And it is.

Phthalates are man-made chemicals which can potentially interfere with reproduction. A new study shows that Phthalates are showing up in children’s bodies (in urine specifically). That’s not good news for children’s health.

Wondering how children are getting exposed in the first place?

Phthalates are used in the manufacture of cosmetics and plastic products. According to the Washington Post, children are exposed to Phthalates through the skin, liquids, and even air. Shampoos, lotions, powders, diaper wipes pose potential threats.

Want to know how to protect your child?

Avoid applying lotions and powders to your child, unless of course, advised to do so by a doctor. Opt for shampoos and other products that are proven to be Phthalate free. Ultimately, keep in mind the golden rule: the less chemical exposure, the better.

Not long ago, I posted ideas for meeting new mom friends. A mother can never have too many friends. Creating new friendships or nurturing old friendships is not always easy–and often, there’s just not a lot of extra time in the day to do so.

But, thanks to the Internet, new friendships can be forged from the sofa– even from your mobile phone. Not sure where to go online to find other moms? Check out one work at home mommy blogger’s Ultimate Guide to Finding Moms Online

What are your top mom-friendly online sites?

Hey, Moms and Dads (and grandparents, too), it may be easy to come up with reasons not to “green diaper” your baby, but this YouTube video (thanks WTAE-TV Pittsburgh) may get you pumped to try your hand at it.  

Did you know that alternatives to disposable diapers can actually save you money? Maybe even lots of money over the years. Did you know that YOU single-handedly can make a dent in saving the Earth (and precious resources) for future generations by incorporating green diapering into your active lifestyle–even opting for cloth or green alternatives occasionally can make a big difference!

On your mark. Get ready. Get set. Go get eco-friendly diapering inspired!

Calling all Moms and Dads: How do you get out the door on weekday mornings with your children? Countless parents struggle with getting out the door each morning and getting to school, daycare or work on time.

What are your secrets? Do you lay out your children’s outfits the night before? Do you shave seconds off each morning by using an easy-to-buckle car seat? Do you pump while putting on your makeup?

Please, do tell. Parents everywhere will thank you.

Stonyfield Farm (my kids’ favorite organic yogurt company–we go through a six-pack just about every two days), makers of YoBaby and YoKids yogurt has introduced this month YoMommy yogurt.  This yogurt sounds like the ultimate in nutrition for pregnant moms.  Yogurt is already a superfood, but YoMommy contains added Folic Acid, DHA, and vitamin D for mom and baby.

If you haven’t yet seen YoMommy on your grocery store shelves, hopefully it will be there soon (or make a request for your store to carry it).  Word has it that the yogurt is just now hitting store shelves.

Remember, pregnancy is a time to take care of yourself (along with baby).  Eat well.  Rest when possible.  Find joy in the moments of pregnancy.  You deserve it, Mommy!

Have you ever recognized a woman carrying the bag on her shoulder?  The tell-tale sign that she pumps breast milk.  Pumping milk is matter of necessity for women who choose to continue to breastfeed while away from their babies.  Although the pump is often associated with the 9-5 working mother, it’s a common gadget on a new mom’s checklist of baby-related gear. 

Just as the decision to breastfeed is deeply personal, so is the decision to pump.  These decisions can be riddled with anxiety.  Blogger Jennifer Lance explains that for some women, breastfeeding can create such a high degree of anxiety that they opt to feed their newborns exclusively pumped breast milk.  For some, the decision to pump has to do with support–or lack of support.  For others, the decision to exclusively pump resolves the tug-of-war between wanting to provide a newborn with milk and the psychological hurdles of breastfeeding.  Though exclusive pumping–and pumping in general–can have its own challenges, who would have thought that a pump lurking in the bag could be so empowering?

For breastfeeding support or to read more about breastfeeding, check out La Leche League and BreastFeeding.com.  

Has the pump empowered you?  

In late fall, news hit that cough medicines could pose dangers to young children.  Recently, the FDA has warned against the use of cough and cold products in children under 2 years of age unless given specific directions to do so by a doctor.

Today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (”CDC”) released findings of its study of cough and cold medicines, finding that ”Cough and cold medicines send about 7,000 children to hospital emergency rooms each year.”  The study reiterates and expands upon previous warnings. 

For more information about this new study, head on over to the CDC’s website.