The Baby Dipper Blog
6 Tips to Fight Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States. We’re raising children that are larger than anywhere else in the world. Many children grow up with hopelessly bad habits that take years to correct, if they can at all. Most studies agree that childhood and adult obesity are definitely linked. Curbing obesity also means limiting many obesity-induced diseases, like heart problems and diabetes. Use these tips to fight childhood obesity.
1. Avoid sweet beverages.
There’s sugar in nearly everything we drink! It’s not just sodas and energy drinks, but juices and some bottled waters, too. Sweetened beverages add nothing useful to our bodies. Replace all the sweet drinks in your house with good old fashioned water. There’s no better source of hydration.
2. Get moving!
To stay at a healthy weight, we should all be getting 30 to 60 minutes of sweat-inducing exercise every day. Nowadays, kids have many more entertainment options indoors, so we’re raising generations of people who don’t enjoy activity. Most schools require students to take part in some form of physical education, but the standards are never very high. Encourage your kids to play outdoor games that require lots of movement.
3. Educate your children.
Your children may eat unhealthy snacks and spend little time exercising because they don’t understand the effects on their bodies. Educate your children with facts. Remember that they lack your real-world knowledge. Invite them grocery shopping and allow them to read the nutritional information. Have them do the math and decide if the food they prefer is really the best for their bodies.
4. Focus on health, not weight.
Weight is a misleading number. It doesn’t have any real meaning, but should only be used to measure one’s change. Further, pre-teens and teenagers are vulnerable to obsession over weight. For some, unhappiness with their weight can lead to eating disorders (eating too much or not eating at all). Create an environment where healthy food is normal and exercise is just a part of living.
5. Ensure they’re sleeping properly.
Proper sleeping habits are important for everyone, but especially children, whose bodies are still developing. Too little sleep or poor sleep creates a pattern of sluggishness throughout the day. Your child will be less likely to get exercise when he/she is tired. Make sure your children fall asleep at reasonable hour and lie in a place where they remain asleep soundly.
6. Have dinner together.
When a child is obese, it’s actually a family problem. When a family eats together, they are more likely to eat complete, healthier meals and practice responsible eating habits. When we eat alone, in front of the TV, we tend to eat junk with no value. Make it a point to eat dinner with your family as often as you can, ideally every night, so that you can monitor and adjust what your children are eating.
Written by Barbara Schantz of Baby Dipper Bowl
As a stay-at-home mom of 2 sets of twin babies, Barbara faced the daunting task of feeding them. Frustrated with the bowls she had already purchased, she researched and bought other bowls, but still remained disappointed. She needed a bowl that required only one hand to successfully feed a baby, but wasn’t able to find one on the market that satisfied this need. The vision for the Baby Dipper® bowl came to her when her twin girls were about 6 months old, not long after they started eating baby cereal and other pureed foods. After much learning and hard work, she was able to bring the Baby Dipper bowl to market so that others can enjoy true one-handed feeding.
For more information, visit babydipper.com.
Interested in writing a guest blog for Baby Dipper? Send your topic idea to [email protected].
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Baby Dipper makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
Photo Credit: Nadia Phaneuf via Compfight cc
5 Tricks for Caring for Multiples
If you’re a new mother to multiples, your life is going to be a bit different than the lives of most mothers. You may spend your days just getting by. Even the simplest of tasks can take hours and drain your energy. To lighten the load, the best you can do are use some of these parent-tested tricks to make your day go more smoothly.
Prepare your bottles in advance.
You’ll save yourself a lot of time and effort by preparing a day’s worth of bottles in advance, either in the morning or the night before, after your children have gone to sleep. Use markers to write names on the bottles and feeding times if you have special considerations and stock them in the fridge in chronological order.
Don’t skimp on the diaper bag.
Get the largest sized diaper bag you can find to prevent yourself from carrying multiple bags. Be generous when you stock it. Bring plenty of diapers and wipes, and then bring some extra. Add at least two changes of clothes. If you have triplets, you’ll need at least three. You might find it advantageous to leave an emergency bag in your car with extra clothes, diapers, and a box of wipes for big messes out of the house.
Make your supplies easy to find.
Organize your baby’s diapers, clothes, and other necessities in a manner that makes them easy to find and get ahold of. Forgo covers, curtains, or cute accessories. If it doesn’t provide function, get it out of the way. Lay out your baby’s rooms (and maybe your own room) assuming that a child will always be in your arms, or you will always be in a hurry.
Track schedules.
In the beginning, you will be more sleep deprived than you ever thought imaginable. You might be foggy about the details. Whose nose was running? Whose diaper contents didn’t look right? Which one was up all last night? On a sheet of notebook paper, make two (or three) columns and quickly jot down anything you think is important that you might forget. Hopefully you never need to confer with your notes, but they’ll always be there just in case. Oh, and probably THE most important guideline for multiples is to keep them on the same schedule, even if it means waking a sleeping baby.
You don’t need two of everything.
Multiples can often share a good amount of the baby gear. Some infant twins prefer to sleep next to one another like they did in the womb (but you need to separate them when they start moving around), so a single crib is fine at first. As I said before, you don’t need multiple diaper bags if you can find one large enough.
Further, having multiples often means different equipment. You might enjoy a feeding table designed for two, three, or four children to keep everyone in their place and make feeding easy, especially with feeding bowls with no-slip bases so you can spoon feed with one hand. Tandem or side-by-side strollers will be handy instead of a single stroller per baby when you are out and about on your own.
Written by Barbara Schantz of Baby Dipper Bowl
As a stay-at-home mom of 2 sets of twin babies, Barbara faced the daunting task of feeding them. Frustrated with the bowls she had already purchased, she researched and bought other bowls, but still remained disappointed. She needed a bowl that required only one hand to successfully feed a baby, but wasn’t able to find one on the market that satisfied this need. The vision for the Baby Dipper® bowl came to her when her twin girls were about 6 months old, not long after they started eating baby cereal and other pureed foods. After much learning and hard work, she was able to bring the Baby Dipper bowl to market so that others can enjoy true one-handed feeding.
For more information, visit babydipper.com.
Interested in writing a guest blog for Baby Dipper? Send your topic idea to [email protected].
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Baby Dipper makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
Photo Credit: EtanSivad via Compfight cc
Tips and Tricks for Mommy Multi-Tasking
If there is one quality of being a mom that is universal, it is skilled multi-tasking. Between cleaning, cooking, working, shopping, driving, and caring for kids, moms always have a lot on their plates. Have you ever observed a busy woman and asked, “How does she do it?” It’s true, how do moms do it? The answer is excellent multi-tasking skills. Here are six tips and tricks for mommy multi-tasking:
1. Take a 5-minute Shower
The faster you can shower and be clean, the better. Cutting down on your shower time leaves more time for the other million things you have to get done. For a mom, 24 hours in a day is just not enough time! Taking a shorter shower means 25 extra minutes to make breakfast or clean the living room.
2. Limit Distractions
When you have a full day of things you need to accomplish, any distractions are going to set you back. Try to avoid taking phone calls, watching TV, or surfing the Internet when you are trying to get multiple things done. These distractions can cause our attention to spread and in turn you will get less done.
3. Make Lists
If you know you are going to have a busy day, make a list in the morning of all the things you need to accomplish that day. Then when you accomplish something you can cross it off on your list. This will help you to stay focused and will give you concrete short term goals to accomplish; making it more likely that you will finish all you needed to do.
4. Walk with Your Baby
One of the biggest reasons moms can’t get to the gym is because they are too busy with the kids and errands. Kill two birds with one stone and take a walk with your baby. Not only will you two, or three, bond, but you will also be burning calories! Bond, check. Worked out, check.
5. Combine Errands
If you know that the kids need new clothes or supplies and they wanted to go to the movies, do both while you are out. The kids will think it is a fun trip to the movies, and you will get some of your errands done.
6. Keep Snacks in your Purse
It sounds silly, but sometimes moms are so busy that they forget to eat! Keeping snacks in your purse makes it easier for you to eat while getting your errands done. Keeping hunger at bay will afford you the energy you need to keep moving.
Written by Barbara Schantz of Baby Dipper Bowl
As a stay-at-home mom of 2 sets of twin babies, Barbara faced the daunting task of feeding them. Frustrated with the bowls she had already purchased, she researched and bought other bowls, but still remained disappointed. She needed a bowl that required only one hand to successfully feed a baby, but wasn’t able to find one on the market that satisfied this need. The vision for the Baby Dipper® bowl came to her when her twin girls were about 6 months old, not long after they started eating baby cereal and other pureed foods. After much learning and hard work, she was able to bring the Baby Dipper bowl to market so that others can enjoy true one-handed feeding.
For more information, visit babydipper.com.
Interested in writing a guest blog for Baby Dipper? Send your topic idea to [email protected].
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Baby Dipper makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
Photo Credit: donnierayjones via Compfight cc
Creative 1st Birthday Party Ideas
Your baby’s first birthday is a big occasion! Even if your little one won’t remember the day it’s still an important event to celebrate and make the occasion special. You can invite your friends and family, buy a few presents, and serve a cake, but that will seem like every other birthday. Make this one special by using some of these ideas.
1. Create a play-place. Many babies around this age still on all fours or just starting to walk. Corral off an area of your house and stock it full of toys and games for little guests to play and interact.
2. Lots of balloons! Balloons are simple and babies love them. Rent a helium tank and fill up a room for of balloons for tossing and playing.
3. Invite lots of babies. If your child doesn’t get to spend a lot time around other children, invite anyone you know who has a baby. Imagine the excitement your little one will experience when he/she gets to play with all the new faces! Plus, this distraction will give you a few moments to enjoy your family’s company.
4. Create a birthday keepsake. The first of anything is the perfect time to start a tradition. Pick up a scrapbook from a craft store and fill out the first couple pages with photos and memories of the first party.
5. Instead of a cake, serve a tower of cupcakes. We’re all about eating healthier these days, and that means skipping the large slices of cake. Choose instead to bake a batch of cupcakes that you can decorate and style differently. Also, your one-year-old will have an easier time handling a cupcake.
6. Planes, trains, and automobiles. Set up a craft station for your guests to make their own cardboard airplanes, cars, and trains. Add brush and finger paints so they can decorate their creations.
7. Custom invitations. Download a template and fill out personalized invitations for your guests. Make them fun and colorful. Add a construction paper background so they’re sturdy and strong enough to tack to a guest’s bedroom wall as a keepsake.
8. Story time! Ask a friend who can read dynamically (or hire a professional - they do exist!) to put on a show by reading a story. Work with the storyteller to set the room for the mood through the decorations and lighting.
9. Decorate everything. At such a young age, your little one (and any little guests) will be enthralled by colors, lights, and interesting sights. Use streamers, candles, strung colored lights, wall stickers of favorite characters, and anything else you can think of to make the party rooms look different.
Written by Barbara Schantz of Baby Dipper Bowl
As a stay-at-home mom of 2 sets of twin babies, Barbara faced the daunting task of feeding them. Frustrated with the bowls she had already purchased, she researched and bought other bowls, but still remained disappointed. She needed a bowl that required only one hand to successfully feed a baby, but wasn’t able to find one on the market that satisfied this need. The vision for the Baby Dipper® bowl came to her when her twin girls were about 6 months old, not long after they started eating baby cereal and other pureed foods. After much learning and hard work, she was able to bring the Baby Dipper bowl to market so that others can enjoy true one-handed feeding.
For more information, visit babydipper.com.
Interested in writing a guest blog for Baby Dipper? Send your topic idea to [email protected].
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Baby Dipper makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
Photo Credit: Jason Lander via Compfight cc
Easy Dinner Shortcuts for Quick Meals
These days, families can be busy. Everyone has their own schedule. There’s work, daycare, school, activities, lessons, family, holidays, friends, and so much more. It would be great if we could provide our families with a wonderful home-cooked meal every night, but that just isn’t practical. Still, we should avoid serving an abundance of store-bought, processed, packaged foods. In order to save time, use these dinner shortcuts to make great meals for your family.
1. Cook for the Week
Moms have been preparing several meals during the weekend since the invention of the freezer. Make a few night’s worth of food on Sunday and store them in microwavable containers. When dinner time comes around during the week, anyone can open them up for reheating. This will save you time during busy weeknights and contain your mess.
2. Salads
Preparing a big bowl of salad for your family only takes minutes and it’s extremely healthy. Chop some romaine, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. If there aren’t any nut allergies in your family, add walnuts and pecans with a sprinkle of cheese to make it “gourmet.” Mix in your family’s favorite dressing. For some heartiness, add cubed deli meats. The best part is that cleanup is simple because you never cooked anything!
3. Slow Cooked Meals
Invest in a quality slow cooker. Before you leave for work, add your favorite ingredients. Pick a meat, a few vegetables, and spice to taste. Plug it in and when you return home, dinner is ready! For an even faster assembly, you can chop your vegetables beforehand so you don’t interrupt your morning routine.
4. Cook for the Freezer
Whenever you can, make an abundance of something for another day. This is especially useful for sauces, soups, and stews. Not only do these types of foods taste better when you make them yourself, but they’re much healthier for you than the store-bought varieties. Plus, you’ll save money by buying more of the ingredients at one time.
5. Make Leftovers
Leftovers are usually the parts of the meal that get left over, but they don’t have to be! Think about your whole week. Who do you have to feed? What do they eat? Rather than pack a lunch for your husband tomorrow, you can save time by making tonight’s meatloaf one slicer larger. Put the slice in the fridge for his meal tomorrow before serving the table.
6. Quality Tools
Some people balk at spending a few hundred dollars on a set of knives or pans. These may be luxuries, but if you can afford them, they’re worth it. A quality set of knives will make your chopping and slicing much easier, which will give you the motivation to use fresh ingredients. A good set of pans will save you from ruining food and they’re easier to clean.
Written by Barbara Schantz of Baby Dipper Bowl
As a stay-at-home mom of 2 sets of twin babies, Barbara faced the daunting task of feeding them. Frustrated with the bowls she had already purchased, she researched and bought other bowls, but still remained disappointed. She needed a bowl that required only one hand to successfully feed a baby, but wasn’t able to find one on the market that satisfied this need. The vision for the Baby Dipper® bowl came to her when her twin girls were about 6 months old, not long after they started eating baby cereal and other pureed foods. After much learning and hard work, she was able to bring the Baby Dipper bowl to market so that others can enjoy true one-handed feeding.
For more information, visit babydipper.com.
Interested in writing a guest blog for Baby Dipper? Send your topic idea to [email protected].
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Baby Dipper makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
Photo Credit: Rob Boudon via Compfight cc
How to Have a Backyard Camp-out with the Family
Summer is a great time of year to camp out. If you are like most parents, the thought of camping at camp grounds with the kids can be overwhelming. Make it easier on yourself and fun for the kids by having a backyard camp-out! Camping in your backyard is the perfect way to fulfill the kids desire to camp and it’s easy on your time and budget. Here are six ways to have a backyard camp-out with the family:
Get Camping Gear
If you are going to camp in your backyard, make sure that you have all the authentic camping gear. A tent, sleeping bags, flashlights, and backpacks are all essential for a true camping experience. You will need a space and materials to make a small fire for s’mores and a book of ghost stories if you don’t know any. This will make it feel fun and real to the kids!
Play Games
What’s more fun at a camp-out then playing games? Some good game ideas are tag, cards, and dancing to music. The kids will love all the outdoor games and will sleep soundly after running around all evening.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Even though you know you are at home, try not to utilize your house often. Enjoy the outdoors! You may have the urge to eat inside at the dinner table, or go sneak a peek at your email, but you are camping so just have fun and leave your messages for tomorrow.
Use Your Grill
Before your camp-out make sure that you are stocked with burgers, hotdogs, and s’mores. They are camp-out staples! Nothing says camping more than a juicy burger or charred hot dog. If you’re feeling fancy, cook sausages and kebabs.
Take a “Hike”
Although you aren’t actually in the woods, pretend that you are. Tell the kids that you are going to take a hike and walk around the neighborhood. Explore the different trees and flowers, taking in all that nature has to offer. Teach your kids any survival skills you know, like building a fire, the names and types of trees, or animal tracking
Stargaze
A great pre-bed time activity is to lie on the grass and look at all the pretty stars. Ask the kids if they can see the Big Dipper, the North Star, or other constellations. If you need to cheat, there are plenty of apps available for your smart phone that will help you detect celestial objects. It will feel great to relax with your kids and is a good activity to wind down.
Written by Barbara Schantz of Baby Dipper Bowl
As a stay-at-home mom of 2 sets of twin babies, Barbara faced the daunting task of feeding them. Frustrated with the bowls she had already purchased, she researched and bought other bowls, but still remained disappointed. She needed a bowl that required only one hand to successfully feed a baby, but wasn’t able to find one on the market that satisfied this need. The vision for the Baby Dipper® bowl came to her when her twin girls were about 6 months old, not long after they started eating baby cereal and other pureed foods. After much learning and hard work, she was able to bring the Baby Dipper bowl to market so that others can enjoy true one-handed feeding.
For more information, visit babydipper.com.
Interested in writing a guest blog for Baby Dipper? Send your topic idea to [email protected].
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Baby Dipper makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
Photo Credit: amalakar via Compfight cc
7 Tips to Help Children Deal with Bullies
Bullying begins as early as preschool and builds as children grow. Each year, the bullies are more forceful and pervasive. Some bullies are outright dangerous, causing vast amounts of physical and emotional trauma. It would be wonderful if the solution to bullying was simple and easy for young children to understand. You don’t want to encourage your kids to fight back, but you want them to stick up for themselves. The necessary balance of assertiveness is tough, and so the problem of bullying persists. Use these seven tips to help your children deal with bullies.
1. Model compassion.
You are the biggest role model in your child’s life, so it’s important for you to be compassionate and respectful all the time. If you hit your child, he will learn that violence is an appropriate reaction to interpersonal problems. The best way to make sure a child isn’t bullied or becomes a bully is to surround them with love.
2. Stay connected.
Lonely kids are more likely to bully or be bullied. Parenting is primarily about establishing a connection. You can’t impart any guidance on your child if you don’t show up. Keep the communication open.
3. Model confident behavior.
Your children watch everything you do. If you easily back away from confrontation, even if the confrontation wouldn’t turn into a fight, your children will learn to back away, too. If your server forgot an item, speak up. If you don’t want to help someone move, say so. Don’t be rude, but don’t be a pushover.
4. Teach assertiveness.
It’s quite possible to be an assertive person without being disrespectful. Teach your kids how to clearly and plainly state their needs without being crass. Phrases like, “It’s my turn now,” “Hey, stop that,” or “I don’t like being called that” are not impolite, but they carry weight.
5. Socialize your children.
Children who stand outside social groups are more likely to be bullied. They appear vulnerable. From a young age, include your children in group activities with other children so they learn how to behave and stand up for themselves. Teach them how to approach their peers and introduce themselves.
6. Role play bullying scenarios.
Enact a mock bullying situation and teach your child how to respond. Bullies begin with verbal harassment, and if their craving for power is met, they continue and escalate. The “victim’s” first response is the most important. Through practice, teach your child how to quickly dismiss the bully by staying calm, but being assertive.
7. Teach your children not to be ashamed.
There’s no shame in walking away from someone who means to do you harm, especially if they’re larger and older. In fact, there is more honor in avoiding volatile situations that don’t have a peaceful resolution. Teach your child to quickly dismiss a bully as unimportant and remove themselves from the area.
Written by Barbara Schantz of Baby Dipper Bowl
As a stay-at-home mom of 2 sets of twin babies, Barbara faced the daunting task of feeding them. Frustrated with the bowls she had already purchased, she researched and bought other bowls, but still remained disappointed. She needed a bowl that required only one hand to successfully feed a baby, but wasn’t able to find one on the market that satisfied this need. The vision for the Baby Dipper® bowl came to her when her twin girls were about 6 months old, not long after they started eating baby cereal and other pureed foods. After much learning and hard work, she was able to bring the Baby Dipper bowl to market so that others can enjoy true one-handed feeding.
For more information, visit babydipper.com.
Interested in writing a guest blog for Baby Dipper? Send your topic idea to [email protected].
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Baby Dipper makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
Photo Credit: chefranden via Compfight cc