Sound intriguing? This comprehensive review of her book, Go Diaper Free, will explain how this valuable resource can help you master elimination communication.

First Thing’s First: What is the Elimination Communication (EC) Method?

EC, infant potty training, or diaper-free are all terms for the same process. It’s a gentle, non-coercive alternative to diapers and traditional potty training to help your baby meet their elimination needs. In practical terms, caregivers respond to behavioral cues and help baby go potty in a small toilet (or something similar) instead of a diaper.

Pros to Elimination Communication

Why would anyone want to do this? There are tons of myths about EC—namely that it’s going to take forever and be really messy. While it is a commitment, it’s one that’s totally doable and there are tons of advantages to elimination communication:

• Relationship building: EC is a great way to build communication and trust between child and parent.
• Cleaner. Baby doesn’t sit in his waste, which—bonus—means fewer diaper rashes.
• More comfortable. Sitting in waste is obviously uncomfortable, but beyond that, diapers are bulky.
• Fewer diapers. Even if you only do EC part time, you’ll use fewer diapers—a win for the environment and your budget.
• Greater self esteem. With EC, baby begins to understand that what she communicates has value. This fosters confidence and a greater sense of self.

What is Go Diaper Free? A Look Inside the eBook

If elimination communication sounds like something you might want to try, Go Diaper Free is the ultimate resource.

In it, author and Psychiatrist Andrea Olson leverages over five years of research and hands-on experience to explain everything you could ever want to know about the process in detail. Here’s a summary of what’s included in this extensive elimination communication resource.

The basics

When does your baby need to use the bathroom? How soon after eating or waking do they poop/pee? Some babies give obvious signals, like squirming or a potty dance, while others are harder to read. Olson covers all of the most common baby signals in detail to help caregivers recognize baby’s potty language.

This stage, called observation, is done without a diaper so it’s easier to pick up on baby’s signals and natural timing. This isn’t a license for little ones to pee on the floor whenever and wherever, though, and the book covers ways to prevent that.

Helping baby eliminate

When its obvious baby needs to go (or is already going!), it’s time to move to the potty receptacle of choice. Olson explains that the best way to let baby know it’s ok to go potty is to use a sound cue or a word or sign language for older babies. Eventually your baby will use this sound, word, or sign themselves to tell you they need to potty.

As baby gets older, their signals may change, and this section helps you stay on top of that by including month-by-month examples.

Timing potty time

Other than baby’s signals, there a several ways to gauge when they likely need to go. Olson covers these in detail, including:

• Natural timing: How long after a feeding or waking does baby need to go? This timing is unique to your baby. Olson explains how to figure it out.
• Generic timing: Olson explains that there are also more common (or general) times when most babies need to eliminate, like during or right after a feeding. She provides all of the details in this section.

Elimination communication method step-by-step

After you’ve observed your baby’s needs, it’s finally time to implement the diaper free method. Olson breaks the process down and covers each of these steps in detail, but here are the basics:

1. Notice it’s potty time
2. Tell your baby it’s potty time
3. Help them get to the potty space and undress
4. Assist your baby into their preferred position and give the cue
5. Be patient and wait until they’ve wrapped things up (your baby will show you when they’re finished)
6. Provide affirmation, say nothing, or simply flash a reassuring smile (Olson also covers the reasoning and psychological differences behind these options)
7. Clean up the potty space (including details on how to clean the area and baby and what to do in various situations at and away from home)]

Modifying EC for older

The ideal time to start the EC method is between the newborn stage and four months old, but older babies can still benefit from EC. If you fall into this category, Olson provides tricks to make the process smoother.

She also includes suggestions for when to use cloth diapers vs. disposable diapers as a backup and at what ages. There’s also tips for what to tell your older baby to keep them on track when they pee outside their designated potty space.

What to do when EC isn’t working

If baby isn’t getting it and nothing is working, Olson explains how to get things on track. She calls this a “reset,” and this section of the book includes step-by-step tips to help troubleshoot and reset the EC experience.

Positions Gallery

Classic cradle, straight leg potty, breastfeeding sink position… Olson provides detailed examples of common (and not so common) EC positions so you can choose which potty positions will work best for your baby. This section also includes information about:

• What positions work better for different ages and as they gain more muscle control
• What positions work better for different genders (since some boys pee straight ahead!)
• How to clean up after using a potty in the car
• Indoor positions to use over a sink
• Different ways to hold baby over the bathtub, shower, or toilet
• Potty options for when there’s no potty around, and different portable potties

Unique Potty Situations

It’s important to know how to position baby in different situations, but there’s more to it. This section of Go Diaper Free covers the how behind pottying baby in unique situations, including how to:

• Potty while breastfeeding
• Go in nature, like on a walk or while camping
• Potty in the city, even if there’s no public restroom
• Go in—and next to—a parked car
• Dress baby in layers, so they can pee when it’s cold out and still be comfortable
• Implement EC when traveling or on vacation

EC at Night

Olson explains that caregivers can choose to skip the EC method at night and rely on diapers or continue the process, but notes that co-sleeping makes EC easier, as your baby adapts to your rhythms and it’s easier to pick up on their nighttime signals. Olson also covers how to EC at night if baby has their own sleep space.

In this section, you’ll see examples of the nighttime EC potty set ups Olson used for her children as they transitioned from newborn to potty independent stage.

Part-time elimination communication

Even working parents can successfully use the EC method with their little ones. Go Diaper Free has tips to help avoid confusion and interruption of your baby’s adopted EC routine. Some of these tips include co-sleeping and babywearing.

Caregivers and EC

If you’re away at work, Go Diaper Free explains how a babysitter or daycare can still help with the EC method to prevent regression and confusion for your little one.

Olson explains that daycares won’t EC to the same extent, but there are reasonable ways caregivers can help keep EC a constant for your little one. The bonus readers area includes a template letter to a daycare that can be given to the supervising attendant and a real life example of a day in the life of a working EC parent.

Diapers and a diaper-free baby

Diapers are a great teaching tool and a backup safety measure, but not always necessary with EC. In this section of Go Diaper Free, Olson covers when your child may benefit from a diaper and times they may do better without one. She explains that the point is to have good communication, help set them up for independent potty use, and avoid peeing everywhere in the process.

Other helpful resources

At the end of the how-to part of Go Diaper Free, there’s even more EC info, including:

• Vocabulary of EC terms and definitions
• 13 keys to help you navigate the EC journey, including getting support and how to keep things non-coercive
• 25 benefits of the EC method, including easier future potty training, money saved on diapers, and a deeper connection with your baby
• Troubleshooting to overcome various EC hurdles
• A supply list of items recommended for the EC journey, like a top hat potty and easy access clothing
• Resources to learn more, including websites, podcasts, books, and even where to buy tiny underwear for your baby
• If you want to dive deeper, you’ll also get access to a private support group that includes a video library, extra troubleshooting, and downloadable forms.

What Moms in Our Community Say About Go Diaper Free

Ashley L. recently wrote to us with this feedback about Go Diaper Free:

We actually used this book to potty train at 18 months. It took two weeks, and my son who is now almost 20 months, potty trained himself through the night as well. ??‍ Don’t ask me how. He just wakes up on his own and says “pee-pee.” Of course it helps that we still bed share at his age. I can see how not bed and room sharing could complicate night training.

My son has not had any accidents after the two week mark of training. We are super proud of him.

My husband was reluctant at first and I put my foot down to tell him that I’m the potty training boss and he had to follow me. ? Our next step is to teach our son to pull his pants up and down better. 

Thanks for listening and sharing!

Go Diaper Free Review: Why You Need to Read This eBook

The EC method can be confusing to navigate, but Olson lays it all out in this comprehensive guide. Go Diaper Free helps give parents the confidence they need to successfully implement EC, while guiding their child to potty independence.

• Authoritative: Olson has a master’s degree in psychology and spent many years in practice. She’s also the director of several elimination communication organizations. This mama knows her stuff when it comes to gentle and non-coercive potty independence.
• Comprehensive: At well over 300 pages, Go Diaper Free is the most comprehensive, evidence-based resource on elimination communication. Although there are detailed instructions, don’t feel like you have to read the whole thing at once. There’s a ton of tips, position images, and troubleshooting guides included, so after you have the basics down, Go Diaper Free can be used as a reference in your EC arsenal.
• Easy to navigate: Olson wrote Go Diaper Free for tired, busy mamas. The nitty gritty details of EC are at the very beginning, so it’s easy to dive right in. Even if you’re a brand new mom and recovering from a tough delivery, Olson includes easy ways to begin elimination communication.
• Offers real support: With the private support group upgrade you get access to other mamas going through the same stage of babyhood (or toddlerhood). You’ll get even more support, tips, and personalized advice from fellow EC mamas.

Looking Ahead…

If you’re interested in learning more about potty training, you may be interested in Andrea Olson’s other ebook, The Tiny Potty Training Book. The book promises to help you potty train any child ages 18-30+ months in just seven days.

How About You?

Are you on board with the EC method? Willing to try? Not so sure? Let us know in the comments!

The post Go Diaper Free Review & Promo Code: Is This eBook the Secret to Using Fewer Diapers? appeared first on Mama Natural.

7 Signs Your Child is Ready for Potty Training Video

Let’s face it, after changing diapers for 2 years, many of us mamas are ready to be done. Particularly as your child is eating more like an adult and his bowels… uh… reflect this. Throw in a pregnancy with a little morning sickness and changing a dirty diaper is a form of torture.

But, the question is, when do you start potty training? Some moms start nearly at birth with Elimination Communication. Some moms wait till the child is 2. Some let the older siblings teach the younger child.

Based on my experience and research… I decided to potty train my boy when he was showing signs of readiness. I think this is the gentlest and smoothest approach for baby and mama.

So, how do you know when it’s time to start potty training your child?

Well, here are the top 7 signs.

1. Child takes pride in accomplishments and likes some independence

This shows emotionally, they would be prepared for something like potty training. Griffin started playing for longer periods independently and didn’t mind sitting down for a poopy by himself for 10-15 minutes. If your child isn’t showing these signposts, try to think of little tasks that they can do for themselves like feeding the family fish or dog, or dropping a letter in the mailbox, and see if they like the feeling of accomplishment. Gently encourage appropriate independence.

2. Child will occasionally have “dry periods”

I remember Griffin would sometimes wake up from nap with a dry diaper. This shows us that they have some form of bladder control and that their anatomy is able to hold urine, making it physically possible to potty train.

3. Child doesn’t like wearing dirty diapers

At some point, children won’t like the feeling of wet diapers or big poops in their pants. Cuz let’s face it, the output is getting rather large, no matter how absorbent your diaper is. Griffin didn’t seem to mind too much, but once we potty trained, he hated if he had an accident. He didn’t like that feeling at all, which helps the whole process.

4. Child notices others going potty

Griffin started noticing when his daddy or I would go potty. He’d even come into the bathroom and comment on it. Sometimes, he’d want to see it or flush the toilet afterwards. Encourage these kinds of interactions! You’re teaching your boy or girl how the process works.

Griffin would also notice when my parent’s dog, Hershey, would go potty. He loved watching this. He’d then imitate by lifting his leg or squatting on the grass. He also thought it was silly when we’d pick up Hershey’s poop, and he’d call it “stinky” and giggle. Again, these are all great things for child to see. If you don’t have pets, maybe go to zoo or watch a video that shows this natural process.

5. Child says they’re going potty

Randomly, Griffin started saying “I’m going pee pee” as he stood still and smiled. Or he’d say, “I just peed!” These were cues to me that he was understanding how his body functioned and when he was actually going.

6. It becomes obvious when they go #2

Griffin’s whole demeanor would change if he had to go number 2. He’d stand alone and make grunting noises. It was so obvious to everyone that it was almost comical. His bowels were becoming big enough that it was a minor event.

Griffin started isolating himself when he went number 2. He wanted privacy and to be alone. Sometimes, he would actually go into the bathroom and shut the door and poo in his diaper. This is a big sign that a child is ready to start potty training.

7. Child will try out potty

If your child is willing to sit on the potty, that’s a great sign! Encourage it. Whereas if your boy or girl show big resistance to the idea, I would wait a month or two and try again.

Where to go from here…

If you think your child is ready for potty training, check out this awesome ebook, The Tiny Potty Training Book by Andrea Olson. It promises to help you potty train any child ages 18-30+ months in just seven days.

Not ready to buy a potty training book?

Check out Andrea Olson’s free potty training mini course.

And in the meantime, here are some tips:

• If you’re noticing any of these readiness signals, encourage your child! Talk to your child about the potty and the whole process. If you haven’t already, buy a few potties and place them around house. Encourage your child to use them. Tell them that this is their potty and their potty only. Help your child feel proud about this development. Get children’s books that talk about potty training. Our favorite was called “Even Fire Fighters Have to Go Potty.” Some people love the Elmo toilet, song, and book. I’ll put some links below of good resources/tools to help you.
• Start talking about how they will be potty trained soon. Talk about how they won’t be using the diaper anymore. Get them excited about this new development and give them ample warning, so they can adjust to idea and actually have some anticipation.
• Slow things down if at any time during this process, your child shuts down, becomes afraid, regresses, or acts out. Slow things down and try again in a month or two. The last thing you want is to make the process traumatizing. Also, be aware of other life changes like a move, preschool, or the arrival of a new sibling. I wanted to get my son Griffin potty trained well before our baby and move came so he could adjust to this new normal. Many kids will regress if it’s too close to a major change. Baby steps.

But, if your child is showing interest, and somewhat excitement, then you’re ready to try potty training.

Is It Time to Potty Train? Here Are Your Next Steps

• See my article How To Potty Train Your Child — 12 Essential Tips
• Check out Andrea Olson’s free potty training mini course
• Consider buying her awesome ebook, The Tiny Potty Training Book

How about YOU?

How did you know when your son or daughter was ready to be potty trained? Share it with us in the comments below so we can learn from each other!

The post When to Start Potty Training: 7 Signs Your Child Is Ready appeared first on Mama Natural.

EC might sound weird, but consider the global perspective. In most non-industrialized countries, EC doesn’t even have a name because it’s the norm. In these societies, babies can be consistently dry and wear underwear full time as early as 6 months, while the average in America is 3 years.

EC is a lifestyle that encourages natural toilet learning. Baby elimination communication is not about getting your child to use a potty as soon as possible (although earlier potty learning often occurs). EC doesn’t mean your child has to never use diapers. It simply means freedom from dependence on diapers.

What are the benefits of baby Elimination Communication (EC)?

It encourages a deep connection between you and your baby. Newborn elimination communication is a great way to build communication and trust between child and parent.

It’s cleaner. Baby doesn’t sit in his waste, which means less chance for diaper rash too!

It’s more comfortable. Diapers are bulky, so it goes without saying that being diaper free would be more comfortable for most infants.

You can use fewer diapers. When you EC, even part time, you’ll inevitably use fewer diapers, which is great for the environment as well as your wallet.

Baby gains self esteem. When she cries for help to potty and is responded to respectfully, she begins to understand that what she communicates has value and, therefore, she has value.

Explains unexplainable behavior. Many babies become fussy, pop off the breast, wake, or have trouble falling asleep when they need to eliminate (or just have eliminated, and don’t like being wet).

How to get started with EC Elimination Communication

There are many ways to practice baby elimination communication. I would highly, highly encourage you to get support as you will definitely be going against the grain. Here is a fabulous resource you can check out!

Many parents begin EC’ing from birth and are glad they did, but many of those who start later have success as well. Some families EC full time (including through the night), while others choose to do baby elimination communication part time. Whichever path works best for your family, getting started is simple.

Begin with observation. Give baby diaper-free time on a waterproof mat so that you can begin to learn her cues. Keep in mind that many babies need to eliminate shortly after a feed and upon waking. Pay attention to your baby’s natural potty times. This is a great way to help baby recognize his own cues as well.

Introduce cues. When you observe baby eliminating, consider introducing a cue sound like a “pss” sound for pee and a “hmm” sound for poo. Baby will start to associate those sound with “letting go.” You can also use the baby sign language sign for bathroom. For some babies, just the act of sitting on the potty can be a cue.

(Interested in baby sign language? Scroll to the bottom of this page for a cheat sheet of the top 20 baby signs)

Keep a potty nearby. Many parents choose to have an elimination communication potty such as this one in each room so there is always one close. When baby shows signs of needing to eliminate, bring her to the potty (or whatever receptacle you choose).

Carry baby in a sling or other carrier. Babywearing can be a great tool for learning baby’s potty rhythms. Many babies won’t eliminate when held close, therefore will be quiet and alert when they don’t need to eliminate and will become fussy and show signs that they want to be taken out of the sling when they need to go.

What do I need in order to practice the baby Elimination Communication method?

The only thing you really need is a place for baby to eliminate. Here are a few nice potty options that are specially sized for babies who start early. Some parents choose to use the toilet, sink, a Tupperware container, or other small container.

Other things that may help are:

• Infant nightgowns
• Legwarmers
• Crotchless pants
• Tiny Undies! You’ll find that, when your baby is potty trained early, there are no underwear that fit them. No undies, that is, except Tiny Undies.
• Clothing that is easy to pull off quickly
• Notebook to record observations about timing and cues
• A tote bag to carry the potty when traveling

Will I have to buy any diapers at all?

That all depends. Are you planning on full time baby elimination communication including at night? If yes, then you may not need diapers. On the other hand many parents choose to use diapers as backup or to EC part time (while baby is at home for example) and use diapers when traveling or at daycare.

If you choose to use diapers, using cloth can help baby stay aware of when he has eliminated because cloth doesn’t wick wetness away like disposables.

What are the disadvantages?

• More time and dedication necessary (at least initially)
• More messes when you’re still learning
• It can be isolating when you don’t know anyone in real life that EC’s

Andrea leverages over five years of research and hands-on experience to explain everything you could ever want to know about the process of elimination communication. Here’s my full review of the Go Diaper Free book.

Here’s what other natural mamas have to say about baby Elimination Communication

I asked the moms on my Facebook page if they’d tried EC and how their experience went. Here is a sample of their responses.

• We are doing baby elimination communication for the first time with my newborn and I LOVE it. We’ve only been doing it a week and we’ve already had so much success. We still have misses, but for the most part we are starting to learn his cues. He used to be colicky around the same time every night, but once we started EC and realized that was when he had to go number 2 and was getting frustrated and began catching it, then his colicky period totally disappeared. His face when we help him go is so relaxed and happy, it’s really another bonding method for parents and babies. I recommend it 10000000000%! – Meagan Cotterell
• We are practicing baby elimination communication in our own way. We started at 8 weeks old. My son wears only cloth diapers. Whenever we change him we take him to the potty (we use the sink because he isn’t big enough for a potty yet) and give him the opportunity to go. He goes per about 80 percent of the time. Poops we are still working on. I think it is all about giving them an opportunity to go somewhere other than in a diaper. After when we are done we do a little pee-pee dance in the mirror to make it fun! Really it only adds an extra minutes to the diaper change. I love it! – Alex Stracey
• We loved EC. Started at 3 months. I rarely washed a poop diaper from then on. My daughter was toilet independent by 19 months, with the occasional missed pee. – Tracy Mills
• Had never tried it until baby #6. Great success! A lot of work on the front end, but well worth it. She never remembers not going on the potty or even wearing diapers (started at 3 mos. which I highly recommend that age). – Moringa Momma
• We do part time baby elimination communication. I think of it as just another part of our day. We offer the potty at every diaper change. When we traveled recently–we were in the car for three days!–our 8 month old would pee in her diapers, but she would wait to poop until we could get to a toilet! It sure made the trip easier for us! – Michelle Grimm-Gossett
• I tried it a bit with both kids. basically, whenever i felt like doing it or remembered to do it, they sat on the potty. During obvious times, like when they woke up in the morning or after nap. Those were easy wins. My son didn’t train early by any means, even though he did start around and on the potty at like 9 months old. With my daughter, at 14 months she showed a lot of interest and told me several times when she had to poop, but then that faded when she got into other interests or something haha. We just play it by ear. She’s in cloth, unlike my son. – Ericka J Iverson
• I started baby elimination communication with my daughter when she was a month old. She is now 7 months old.. no Poopy diaper changes for us! My nephews are 2 and 3 years of age.. both with no intention of potty training. My family is not a fan of us The fact that most nights my daughter wakes up dry:) I love that I can cuddle my baby, nurse her, and put her down for naps all without a diaper on!!:) – Kathleen Partridge
• I started baby elimination communication with my son when he was shy of 3 months. I was very aware of his potty times as he would go after every meal. bf’ing lol. When he was 5 months I changed his last poopy diaper. I started sitting him directly in the toilet and waiting till he went, then praised with lots of happiness and kisses. By the time he was 12 months, he would literally get on the potty himself and go. – Cindy Penagos

More resources for baby elimination communication

• Free Easy Start Guide for elimination communication from author Andrea Olson
• All the support you need at Go Diaper Free
• Elimination Communication on Wikipedia

How about you? Did you practice EC? Know anyone who did? Share with us below!

The post Baby Elimination Communication: Why & How to Do It appeared first on Mama Natural.

In this article, we’ll answer all of your most burning questions about temper tantrums—namely how to cope.

First, Be Sure the Basics Are Met

Good nutrition

Ever heard of being hangry? Ya know, anger because you’re hungry. There’s a reason that “I’m sorry for what I said when I was hungry” is a thing. Even adults who haven’t been eating healthy get very grumpy. Kids have the same struggle—and then some, since they haven’t developed the same coping skills as adults.

Make sure your offering balanced meals and snacks. Avoid simple carbs and sugars that cause temporary spikes, then crashes. And do your best to serve meals and snacks at regular intervals. Long stretches between meals is a recipe for disaster—toddlers burn through food faster than adults do.

Adequate Sleep

Life happens, but keeping a regular sleep schedule is just as important (if not more so!) as the nutrients your child is taking in. Toddlers do best with a mid-afternoon nap. Get out early in the morning, get them running, jumping, skipping… anything to burn energy. Generally, this is enough to help them crash for a nap right after lunch due to fatigue.

Some toddlers will resist an afternoon nap, but it is so important for children under the age of four to get as much sleep as possible throughout the day and night. If your child is struggling to wind down, try to encourage them to rest quietly in their crib or toddler bed. They can lay there and flip through books or listen to lullabies. And, if they skip the nap, make sure they go to bed a bit earlier, around 6-6:30 p.m.

How to Effectively Deal With Temper Tantrums

Stay calm

The best way to deal with someone else’s eruptive emotions is to not join in yourself. You know, the whole “two wrongs don’t make a right” thing.

This can be really hard, but staying calm is the best way to get through a tantrum without making the situation worse. Count to 10 to help interrupt your fight or flight response. And, if it’s safe to do so, sometimes walking away to collect yourself can help, too. Whatever you need to do to regroup and enter the situation more calmly will be a huge help.

Connect by getting eye-to-eye

Connecting with your child at a time when they may feel very alone with their scary emotions can help them relax. They also learn that you are on their team and are ready to help them navigate whatever comes their way.

Get close to your child by sitting on the floor with them, and ideally, making eye contact. This helps your child feel safe and supported. As adults, we often do this for our friends and family members. Have you ever had a friend simply sit in silence next to you while you cried? If so, then you know how supported and safe this type of behavior can make you feel.

Try “time-ins”

Create a cozy area somewhere safe—the child’s room or in the family room, for example—that she can go when she gets upset or needs to cool down. You can even dedicate a small pillow to the cause. Let you child squeeze or punch the pillow to let off some steam. It’s also a good idea to have lots of comfort tools in this space—dolls, stuffed animals, snacks, etc. If you are in a store or outside the home, bring your child to a safe place like the car or a waiting room.

Sit with your child and allow them to express themselves to you without judgment. Once they have calmed down and feel heard, you can reiterate your expectations.

Show compassion—but don’t try to fix

It’s really tempting to give in to what your child wants or to find a distraction for a child that is having a tantrum. But that doesn’t teach them how to deal with disappointment. Fixing your child’s problems will only cause more situations where you need to “fix” something. Instead, use compassion and empathy to help your child learn to deal with complex emotions.

Try working through their feelings by repeating what you hear them say. For example, “You really wanted to have ice cream today. Ice cream tastes so good! But we can’t have ice cream today and that makes you feel really mad!” Why? Kids begin to relax as they recognize that you understand how they are feeling.

Teach child breathing techniques

Kids have temper tantrums, because they are struggling with big emotions. Help them learn how to use calm down techniques. This is a great way to support your child in learning to self regulate. Have your child count to 10 if they know how to. Or, have them take a deep breath and let it out slowly. You can even make it a song. Daniel Tiger says “When you’re feeling mad and you want to roar, take a deep breath and count to FOUR.”

Give choices

Temper tantrums are sometimes a reaction to feeling small. Kids often don’t have much say in what they do each day, and that can cause them to feel powerless. Offering choices throughout the day can help reduce tantrums. But offering a choice during a tantrum can help, too. Consider this: “You really want ice cream, but we need to pick a healthy snack. Would you like apple slices or carrot sticks?”

Avoid tantrum triggers

Most kids have tantrum triggers like being tired, hungry, or bored. Try to hone in on what triggers your child, so you can avoid these situations, thus reducing the number of tantrums your child has.

• If you know your child tends to meltdown when your errands go longer than an hour, avoid keeping him out that long.
• If he can’t handle missing a nap, avoid being out of the house during nap time.

Plan ahead

If you absolutely can’t avoid tantrum triggers, plan ahead to minimize or ease tantrums. Give yourself extra time to get where you need to go in case you need to spend 10 minutes waiting for your toddler to stop thrashing around on the floor. This also helps you stay calm. Bring snacks, favorite toys, or a favorite blanket to offer some comfort or entertainment.

Include heavy work activities into play time

Heavy work activities are activities that require lifting, pushing, or pulling heavy items. This work helps kids (and adults) activate the proprioceptive system. Proprioception is a process that helps us become aware of our bodies and how they can be moved in space. It’s often thought of as another sense similar to sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.

When kids are throwing a temper tantrum, thrashing their bodies around and throwing things, they are seeking this stimulation. Make sure there are lots of opportunities for heavy work in your daily lives to help reduce your child’s instinct to do it during a temper tantrum.

Here are some ideas:

• Pushing a friend on the swings
• Carrying groceries
• Carrying a heavy toy
• Pulling a sled (filled with people or heavy objects)
• Hanging upside-down on monkey bars
• Doing household chores
• Raking leaves

Incorporate some of these into your daily routine, or offer one of these activities when you sense a tantrum coming on.

Why Do Temper Tantrums Happen?

While these strategies surely help, it’s nearly impossible to avoid temper tantrums altogether. When you’re truly exasperated, understanding why temper tantrums happen can really help you effectively solve them and keep your cool.

Here are the main reasons temper tantrums occur, according to Dr. Laura Markham, author of Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids:

• Not enough sleep or healthy food: As mentioned above, this is the number one trigger for tantrums. Kids who are overtired or hungry are already struggling, so almost any disappointment can set them off.
• Lacking connection: When kids feel disconnected from their caregivers, they are more likely to act out. Kids (and adults!) need to feel loved and accepted. After a long day at school or daycare, many kids crave mom or dad’s attention. Unfortunately, this often coincides with evening routines where mom and dad are running errands, making dinner, cleaning up, etc.
• Feeling powerless: As mentioned, kids don’t often have much say in what they do each day. But we all want to feel in control of our lives. Lack of control or ability to make decisions in their lives can cause tantrums.
• Having “too big” emotions: Sometimes a tantrum is simply an emotion that a child is struggling with. No one likes to feel negative emotions, but we all need to learn to deal with them. Tantrums can be a representation of this journey and an opportunity for learning.

Will The Tantrums Ever End?

Sometimes it can feel like your child is being so irrational it can’t possibly be normal. The good news (that might also feel like bad news): Most of the time, tantrums are a normal part of toddler-hood.

As your child gets older, can communicate better, and has more self-awareness and self-control, you should see tantrums begin to improve and decrease in frequency.

If your child is violent towards themselves or others, can’t communicate at a level appropriate for their age, or exhibiting behavior that’s getting worse, check in with your pediatrician.

Otherwise this stage is completely normal. And it’s also a really good thing if you think about it: It means your child is processing emotions, learning, and growing. It also means that he trusts you enough to be completely vulnerable.

I always try to remember: He’s not trying to give me a hard time—he’s having a hard time. I find that thinking about my kids’ tantrums as a cry for help, instead of “bad behavior,” can help me stay calm and support them through their emotions. Hang in there mama, you’re doing great!

The post Temper Tantrum: 10 Gentle Ways to Diffuse the Situation Without Aggravation appeared first on Mama Natural.

Whether you’ve been co-sleeping or using a crib, there’s a point in every parent’s journey when their child is ready to graduate to a toddler bed—but when?

In this article, we’ll cover:

• The ideal age for transitioning to a toddler bed
• Strategies to make the transition gracefully
• Plus, how to actually keep your kid in their toddler bed at night

When to Transition to a Toddler Bed

While there isn’t a clear-cut answer for when to transition to a toddler bed, there are a few factors that can help you decide.

Age

Some parents transition their babies as early as 18 months, but the average age tends to be around 3 or 3.5.

This tends to be a good age because your toddler is usually old enough to understand the purpose of a toddler bed—and the rules that come with a big boy or big girl bed. (Very young toddlers are more likely to get hurt if they wake up early and start exploring their room or the house unsupervised.)

Safety

Beyond age, safety is the most important factor for making the big switch. (Sometimes even more important than age!)

No matter how old your child is, you might consider switching to a toddler bed if:

• Your toddler is climbing out of the crib
• Your child is outgrowing his or her crib

Even if your child is only two years old, it may be safer to switch to a toddler bed if he or she is constantly climbing out of the crib. But don’t rush the process if your child is content and safe in their crib. Unless your child is a climber, consider keeping them in the crib as long as possible—until they outgrow it! My daughter slept in her crib until she was four years old.

Readiness

And, sometimes, kids tell you when they want to make the switch. If your child is raring to go, you might consider giving it a try. That excitement might be exactly what you need to make the transition work.

Necessity

And, of course, sometimes the transition to a toddler bed comes from a place of necessity:

• Maybe you have another child coming along and need the crib,
• Or you want to make the switch before another child comes to avoid dealing with a potentially difficult transition while you have a newborn,
• Or your child is potty-trained and needs to be able to use the toilet more easily in the middle of the night

The Approach: Prep Your Child First

Rule No. 1 is to prep your child for the big change. Toddlers need more time to process change, so it’s best not to spring this transition on him or her when it’s bedtime and he’s already tired. Explain the big change long before it even happens. Here’s how to do it: 

1. Hype it up. This starts with you: Be excited about the transition! Tell your child how excited you are for him or her, and do whatever you can to make it sound like a fun milestone.
2. Read books about sleeping in toddler beds. Books can help your child understand what’s happening more clearly. There are tons of options on Amazon and at your local library, but my favorite is Big Bed for Giraffe.
3. Accessorize. Let your child pick out his own sheets or a special blanket. When kids are involved, it makes them feel more in control of the situation.

Then, Proceed Slowly

Bottom line: A smooth transition is a gradual transition.

1. Start with naps. If possible, have your child take naps in the bed for the first few days to get used to it. Then, gradually introduce the toddler bed for nighttime.
2. Keep the bedtime routine consistent. Toddlers are creatures of habit, and routine helps ease change. His normal sleep cues (such as his favorite lullaby or a kid-safe lavender blend in the diffuser) will facilitate the process.
3. Keep familiar items close. This includes stuffed animals or other loveys.

Sounds Great, But How Do I Get My Toddler to Actually Stay in Bed??

Getting your child into the toddler bed is only half of the battle. The other half is getting your toddler to stay in the bed—and honestly, it’s the harder half.

Be prepared that your child most likely won’t stay in bed at first. It’s normal, and that’s okay. But this comes along with some important safety measures.

Tips for Success

Childproof

To keep your little wanderer safe, it’s essential to childproof if you’re transitioning to a toddler bed. Every room has different childproofing requirements, but here are a few of the basics:

• Put up a bedrail. If you’re using a twin bed or if your toddler bed doesn’t have one included, consider a bedrail. This creates a more “cozy” feel and also prevents the child from rolling out of bed.
• Anchor furniture. Make sure dressers and furniture are anchored. You can also anchor small nightstands too. Assume that if a toddler can climb it, it should be anchored.
• Cover outlets. All outlets should be covered.
• Hide and secure electrical cords. All electrical cords should be out of sight and secured.
• Use a gate. Even if you shut the door at night, consider placing a baby gate in the doorway. A child safety gate ensures your toddler won’t go roaming around the house at night. Keeping your child contained to his or her bedroom at night is a big safety issue. If your child can climb over gates (or open them), you may need to close the door and put a doorknob cover on the inside knob.
• Secure blinds. Blinds and their cords should be tied up and out of reach.

Create a cozy environment

Optimize the room for sleep by:

1. Using a white noise machine. This will help keep your toddler calm and drown out distracting ambient noise.
2. Darkening the room with blackout shades. A dark room helps signal nighttime, plus aids in melatonin production.
3. Putting a little potty in the bedroom. Consider putting a little potty in the bedroom with an amber-colored night light in case your child has to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Stay with your child until they are fully asleep

This might be one of the most simple tricks, but it can help a lot during the early stages of this transition. Before you leave your child in his new bed, make sure he’s all the way asleep. Sing songs, read a few stories, or gently rub his back—whatever you need to do to help your little one drift off to sleep. If you leave your child while he’s still awake, you run the risk of him feeling excited about his new bed and exploring.

Consider a weighted blanket for children

A light weighted blanket made specifically for children can help kids feel more safe and secure in their new bed.

Serve a tart cherry yogurt drink after dinner

Tart cherry juice is a wonderful natural sleep aid, because it contains naturally-occurring melatonin. Simply add 2 ounces of tart cherry juice concentrate (the equivalent of two eight-ounce servings) to a raw yogurt drink each night before bed. This helped my son sleep 60-90 minutes longer every night!

Use toddler alarm clocks

You’ll want to decide if you want your child to come wake you when they are up or focus on ways to keep your child in bed. If you fall into the latter camp, many parents swear by the toddler alarm clocks. There are dozens of “okay to wake” alarm clocks that help teach your child when it’s okay to get out of bed. Some focus on colors, and some play fun sounds. These don’t work for all children, and many kids might see them as “toys,” so use these with discretion.

Put books on the bedside table

If you’re okay with having your child stay in their bed after they wake, put a few books or a relatively basic activity (like an Etch-a-sketch) on their bedside table. This will give them something quiet to do while time passes.

Add incentives

If necessary, you can also create incentives when your child stays in bed all night long. Incentives can be very helpful if you have a child that loves the newfound freedom to roam. Incentives can be simple, like a sticker chart. You could also make a little “treasure box” from a cardboard box and fill it with small toys.

Is Your Child Ready for the Big Transition?

If you’re moving your child for safety reasons, know that it may take some time, but the investment will be worth it. And, in some cases, if you’re not finding success, you may realize a co-sleeping or family bed arrangement works better for you and your child.

The bottom line is: Transitioning to a toddler bed is a big deal. But it’s just like many of the other transitions that you’ve been through with your child. Be prepared for a few rough nights. You will all get used to the new normal and eventually get back into a routine—no matter what that looks like for your family.

How About You?

Have you already made transition? What tips worked well for you? We’d love to hear about your experience!

The post When to Transition to a Toddler Bed (Plus, Tips to Ease the Transition) appeared first on Mama Natural.

We wonder: What’s the best way to connect? Am I connecting enough?! 

That’s why I was so excited to discover a company that helps parents with this dilemma. It’s called Lovevery. 

What is Lovevery?

Lovevery Play Kits

Lovevery is a company that creates fun and educational toys for kids. Each toy that the company manufactures—from a baby play gym, to high-contrast flash cards, to mobiles, and more—are all created to encourage early brain development.

“There is something magical about a toy if it’s done right, because it can help clue the parent into what the baby is hungry to do.” —Jessica Rolph, co-founder of Lovevery, told TIME

What Are Lovevery Play Kits?

Though you can buy select products individually (the play gym, a doll stroller, a block set, and more), Lovevery is best known for the Lovevery Play Kits—boxes that are specifically curated to suit various stages of learning and development. They currently have 10 different options, including:

Lovevery play kits for babies:

• The Looker Play Kit (Weeks 0-12): This play kit includes items like a mobile, high-contrast flash cards and various holders, high-contrast mittens, a wooden book, and a rattle with a removable ball.
• The Charmer Play Kit (Months 3-4): This play kit includes items like a wooden rattle, a rolling bell, a soft book, a mirror, high-contrast cards, a crinkle bag, and a soft teething ring.
• The Senser Play Kit (Months 5-6): This play kit includes items like a Montessori ball, play socks, a tummy time waddler, and a bib.
• The Inspector Play Kit (Months 7-8): This play kit includes items like a wooden box and ball set, stacking cups, a puzzle, felt balls, and a drinking cup.
• The Explorer Play Kit (Months 9-10): This play kit includes items like wooden blocks, stacking rings, an egg cup, bean bags, and a soft wool blanket.
• The Thinker Play Kit (Months 11-12): This play kit includes items like a doll, a pincer puzzle, a wallet and “credit cards,” and wooden coins.

See an unboxing of the Think Play Kit below:

Lovevery play kits for toddlers:

• The Babbler Play Kit (Months 13,14, and 15): This play kit includes items like a ball run, wooden stackers, puzzles, felt baskets, balls, and books.
• The Pioneer Play Kit (Months 16,17, and 18): This play kit includes items like a car ramp, a ball, a mirror, books, a puzzle, and a threadable bead kit.
• The Realist Play Kit (Months 19,20, and 21): This play kit includes items like a lockbox, balls, a matching game, a pitcher and glass, a flashlight, and books.
• The Companion Play Kit (Months 22, 23, and 24): This play kit includes items like

See inside some of the toddler play kits below:

Lovevery Discount Code

Though Lovevery doesn’t currently have a discount code or coupon for the play kits, you can still get a great deal:

My Honest Lovevery Play Kit Review

The Babbler Play Kit

Unboxing the play kit

When our first Lovevery Play Kit arrived, we dumped the whole thing out to let our daughter, Faith, explore. It was a really fun and delightful sensory experience for her.

But, next time, I think I’d opt to unbox myself and take one toy out at a time. This is actually something I recommend for all kids’ toys. It’s the paradox of choice—when kids have too many choices, none of them seem all that great. But if you grab one thing and cycle through it, kids have no choice but to explore. Generally, this is a very positive experience for them—and it’s a great way to capture their attention. 

And with all of the different toys in each kit, you essentially have one toy for each day of the week!

Playing with the play kit

Lovevery Play Kit – Coin Bank

Faith had so much fun interacting with the play kit. And it really hit the mark developmentally.

The parental resources that comes in the crate are pretty fantastic, too. As I mentioned above, playing with a newborn has its own set of challenges, but the parental resources (essentially large-format flash cards secured with a ring) that come with each play kit really guide you through each toy and provide recommendations for how to use the toy to interact with your child.

Lovevery Parent Cards

These cards also provide information about why each toy is so great for this specific stage of baby’s development—it’s truly fascinating stuff!

What I Love About Lovevery Play Kits

It’s stimulating

Faith was delighted to explore a variety of new toys. I really saw her light up while she interacted with each and every item in the box. This was a huge win!

It teaches important skills

There’s a sensory element to discovering new toys, but I love that all of the included toys are specifically chosen, because they teach valuable skills. Through the toys in the box, I witnessed Faith extending her motor skills, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking skills. She also got to explore the concept of cause and effect and build upon her (soon-to-be) exploding vocabulary.

It’s expertly curated

These boxes are designed by academics (professors and researchers), as well as former educators and child development professionals to ensure all of the items in the Lovevery play kits are developmentally appropriate for each age group and facilitate early learning.

How Much Do Lovevery Play Kits Cost?

Baby play kits

The baby Lovevery play kits cost $80. Because each kit is designed to span two to three months, this equates to approximately $40 per month.

But if you pay for the whole kit upfront, you’ll receive a 10% discount, making the kit cost just $36 per month. 

Toddler play kits

The toddler play kits cost $120. Because each kit is designed to span three months, this equates to $40 per month.

But if you pay for the whole kit upfront, you’ll receive a 10% discount, making the kit cost just $36 per month. 

Bonus: The Lovevery Play Gym

Lovevery Play Gym for Baby

Lovevery also makes the most beautiful and high-quality play gym I’ve ever seen! I wish I knew about this when Faith was younger—she would have loved it. The mat has won numerous awards, because both parents and kids love it. Why?

It’s aesthetically pleasing… 

This play mat has a really beautiful design. It has pretty, muted colors that suit a wide range of decors (aka doesn’t scream baby toy), but is still very stimulating for baby. It also has gorgeous natural wood legs that are sustainably sourced. It’s one piece of baby gear you definitely won’t mind sitting out.

It’s amazingly versatile and stimulating…

This play gym doesn’t have any sounds or flashing lights, but is way more engaging than any of those mats could ever be. The comfortable cotton base has all kinds of interactive features, like crinkle fabric, pulleys, pockets, and textured fabric. It also comes with high-contrast flash cards that nestle into a folder that attaches to the play mat via velcro.

The play gym also comes with a number of engrossing items you can hang from the wooden legs—a high-contrast Montessori ball, a wooden batting ring complete with a bell and clappers, and an organic cotton crinkle teether.

And one of the coolest parts is it grows with baby…

Lovevery Play Gym for Toddlers

We may have missed the newborn phase with Faith, but this play gym is a fun toy for toddlers too. In addition to all of the above, it comes with a cover that turns the whole thing into a play tent! The older kids have so much fun crawling in and out of the fort and turning it into their very own play space.

The post Lovevery Play Kits: A Mom’s Honest Review appeared first on Mama Natural.

Keeping these kiddos busy can be a challenge, especially with their minds going a mile a minute. Not many activities today are geared towards them, which complicates things further. After all, not every kid wants to sit around playing video games.

Did you know you can get activities delivered monthly made just for Einstein’s-in-the-making? I’m talking hands-on projects that keep kids busy and learning.

KiwiCo comes to the rescue again with their Eureka Crate. Whether they’re learning about electricity with a DIY lamp kit or exploring the mechanics of a pencil sharpener, the Eureka Crate makes sure little learners have fun while tinkering to their heart’s content.

What Is KiwiCo?

KiwiCo (originally called Kiwi Crate) is a monthly subscription service made for kids. Each month, subscribers get a box (also known as a crate) full of everything they need to complete a variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) projects, crafts, and activities related to one central theme.

These boxes are specifically designed for different age groups, including:

• Koala Crate: Ages 2-4
• Kiwi Crate: Ages 5-8
• Atlas Crate: Ages 6-11
• Doodle Crate: Ages 14+
• Tinker Crate: Ages 9-16+
• Eureka Crate: Ages 14-104

What Is a Eureka Crate?

Eureka Crates are monthly shipments of age-appropriate projects for teens aged 14 and up. Each box is designed by educators to be both fun and informative, guiding users through a hands-on task. Every month is something new, teaching teens fun facts and skills as they work on their latest project.

While these might sound like work, your kids will go wild building and learning. How do I know? Each kit is vigorously tested by real teenagers (you know, the ones not afraid to roll their eyes), ensuring that every month brings something exciting.

Is the Eureka Crate Worth It?

As a proponent of lifelong learning, the Eureka Crate is worth its weight in gold to me. Meshing fun with facts helps information sink in, and for kids who love working with their hands, these crates are unmatched. The activities aren’t just build and forget – these are build and learn. The boxes make a point to educate tinkerers on the task at hand, incorporating information about the subject while teaching them how to craft a functioning object they can see in action.

Eureka Crates aren’t tasks teens can blow through, keeping them occupied as they problem-solve and innovate. Each box is a little different, with some focusing on creative tasks while others are purely mechanical. For parents looking to step up their teen’s activities, the Eureka Crate is perfect.

A Look at the Wooden Ukulele Crate

Playing an instrument stirs creativity, but how cool would it be to build one too? Well, the Wooden Ukulele Crate allows your teen to make their very own functioning 4-string ukulele. As tinkerers work, they’ll learn about sound waves and the history of these hip Hawaiian instruments. As if that’s not cool enough, they’ll also learn to play their new instrument!

Complex Yet Engaging

Building a ukulele isn’t as easy as it sounds, and teens have to work their way through the process. There are multiple steps and materials to work with, and Eureka users get a brain workout during the process that includes stringing and tuning their new instrument. The end product is well worth the effort and rewards them with an instrument they can play.

While the work is complex, it’s fun! It isn’t a one-dimensional process and each step layers on more learning and hands-on experience. It’s a mashup of woodworking, music, and mechanics, utilizing all corners of their growing brain.

A Lasting Memory

Making your own instrument is a memorable experience, and teens will have a lasting trophy for their hard work. And seriously, what’s cooler than something you can play too? I especially love that learning doesn’t stop there. Kids can keep studying their new instrument, and it might just spark an interest in more musical adventures.

What Do I Think About the Eureka Crate?

I’m all for adventure and learning, and the Eureka Crate offers heaps of both. Users are encouraged to think, unlike many activities today that do the thinking for them. Learning the mechanics of each project shows them how things work behind the scenes, and tinkering can teach them how to fix things later on.

What I like most about the Eureka Crate:

• It encourages kids to think: Eureka Crates don’t shy away from complex problems or crafts. Users are tasked with stepping outside the box to accomplish tasks. With the ukulele box, kids go from arts and crafts to engineering to music, utilizing their entire mental toolbox as they work.
• It keeps hands (and minds) moving: There’s never a dull moment with the Eureka Crate. Every activity is hands-on, and users don’t have a chance to get bored as they move through the steps.
• It inspires creativity: Even if a Eureka Crate isn’t as artistic at a glance as the ukulele kit, each inspires the mind as kids work. Tinkering naturally triggers creativity and wonder, and you never know what idea they’ll cook up as a result.
• It teaches mechanics as kids work: Being mechanically-inclined is a priceless skill. As users work, they’ll learn how items function, and as a result, understand how to identify problems.
• It’s designed by the experts: They might seem tricky, but Eureka Crates are designed by certified educators that know how to keep teen brains ticking.

What Age Are Eureka Crates For?

Eureka Crates are made for teens aged 14 and above. Tasks are multi-stepped and complex, with each weaving in facts as your child works. Educators specifically designed them for this age demographic, creating activities that keep kids’ attention. It’s a difficult task to accomplish, but they did it!

How Much Does Eureka Crate Cost?

Kiwi Co Eureka Crate review and promo code-pricing

A Eureka Crate subscription comes in several packages, including:

• Monthly: Pay $19.95 monthly for shipments
• 3-month subscription: Order 3 shipments upfront for $19.95 each.
• 6-month subscription: Order 6 shipments for $18.50 each
• Yearly: Purchase 12 shipments upfront for $16.95 each.

Purchasing the yearly option saves money over time, but it’s a chunk of change to fork over at once, we get it.

Keep in mind that all subscriptions renew automatically, though monthly plans can be canceled at any time. Multi-month packages may be canceled once the prepaid period ends.

U.S. customers, including those in Hawaii and Alaska, enjoy free shipping. 

International customers will be charged shipping fees starting at $4.95 per month. Duties and taxes due at import are the responsibility of international buyers.

Eureka Crate Shipping Basics

Eureka Crates ship 2-3 business days after purchase for U.S. customers. U.S. transit times are between 5 and 7 days. International shipping times vary by location.

Future crates ship automatically the next month. Customers can review anticipated ship dates via their account on KiwiCo’s website.

Have You Had a Eureka Moment?

What about you? Have you tried the Eureka Crate? Comment and let me know!

The post Eureka Crate Review From Both Kids & Parents + Promo Code! appeared first on Mama Natural.

In this post, we’ll cover:

• When can babies have yogurt
• The health benefits of yogurt
• The best yogurt for babies
• Plus, how to introduce and serve yogurt

Can Babies Have Yogurt?

Yogurt is an excellent food for babies, and they can start to have yogurt as soon as they start eating solids, typically around six months of age.

Six months?! So many baby books instruct parents to delay yogurt until eight or even nine months, so what gives? While conventional wisdom used to stick with the 8-9 month rule for introducing dairy products like yogurt, the latest research shows that shows that earlier introduction of common allergen foods, like dairy, may help prevent food allergies. Of course, if you have a family history of dairy allergies or your child is immune compromised, talk to your doctor first.

If you do opt to start yogurt around six months, know that yogurt is an easier food to feed and most babies enjoy the flavor and texture of yogurt. It’s also got plenty of health benefits.

Health Benefits of Yogurt

Yogurt is a well-balanced food complete with healthy fats, a good serving of protein, and milk sugar. Plus, organic whole yogurt is also high in:

• Calcium: This mineral promotes strong bones.
• Vitamin D: This vitamin helps your body absorb calcium. It also helps boost the immune system.
• Phosphorus: Like calcium and vitamin D, this too helps promote strong bones and teeth.
  
• Naturally-occuring live cultures: These live cultures are probiotics, which are gut-healthy flora that help colonize baby’s gut with beneficial bacteria.

What is the Best Yogurt for Babies?

There are a lot of types of yogurt available these days: Greek yogurt, French-style, Swiss-style, Icelandic style… not to mention ones mixed with fruit and maple syrup. There are even dairy-free options made with almond or coconut milk. But which one is right for your baby?

As a general rule: Plain organic whole yogurt is best.

This type of yogurt is pre-digested and easier on baby’s still-developing digestive system. Although “pre-digested” may sound gross, it simply means that the food has been partially digested by beneficial bacteria. These foods are then loaded with probiotic power, thanks to these good microorganisms. Interestingly, this is why some babies cannot tolerate cow’s milk, but have zero problems with cow yogurt.

Why use plain yogurt?

It’s tempting to get the fruit-based or sweetened yogurts, but there are a few reasons why it’s important to get plain.

• Helps your baby get used to sour tastes, which is an important step in preventing picky eating.
• Typically has lower sugar content.
  
• Doesn’t contain any dyes.
• Works as a good base for savory recipes.

If your baby isn’t going for it, or you’d like to spice it up, plain yogurt is a perfect palette for adding in fruits and spices. Scroll down for some great ideas.

What Brand of Yogurt is Best for Babies?

So you’ve narrowed it down to organic whole yogurt, but which brand is best? Here are the top four yogurts you can buy for your baby.

Best organic baby yogurt

1. Organic Valley Whole Milk Yogurt 

My favorite yogurt for babies is Organic Valley Whole Milk Yogurt. It has naturally occurring omega-3s and active probiotic cultures L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, and L. Casei—all of which are very important for promoting healthy gut flora and supporting the digestive system, the immune system, and overall health. Because it’s made from milk that comes from 100% grass-fed cows, it’s also incredibly rich and and creamy. It’s also very easy for baby to digest.

Organic Valley Whole Milk Yogurt  – When Can Babies Have Yogurt Plus the Healthiest Options baby post by Mama Natural

2. 365 Everyday Value Organic Yogurt

Though the 365 Everyday Value Organic yogurt is a bit thinner than the Organic Valley, it has many of the same great benefits. It contains six live and active probiotic cultures, plus contains added vitamin D. This yogurt is certified organic and Kosher, too.

Best Greek yogurt for babies

1. Wallaby Organic Whole Milk Greek Yogurt

You may wonder: Can babies have Greek yogurt? Babies can have Greek yogurt, but because it’s “concentrated,” it tends to be harder to digest. I like to include occasionally for a boost in my baby’s protein intake. This store-bought Greek yogurt is best. It is a 4.5% milk fat yogurt, so it has lots of brain healthy fats. And because Wallaby is Australian-inspired and each batch is slow-crafted in small batches, it’s not too tart.

2. siggi’s 4% Whole Milk Icelandic Yogurt

Siggi’s, an Icelandic-style yogurt, is a good option for older babies. It’s an Icelandic yogurt (sometimes listed as skyr) that’s made just like Greek yogurt and strained to remove liquid whey but is thicker and less tangy. Removing the whey results in a thick, protein-rich yogurt—up to 25 grams of protein per serving!

Alternatives to Yogurt for Babies

If your baby already has a dairy sensitivity, there are other yogurt options available, including cashew yogurt, coconut milk yogurt, but I prefer kefir made from goat or even camel milk.

Goat kefir

Goat kefir is available at some health food stores. It generally has a very clean list of ingredients and is easier to digest than cow’s dairy, because the fat molecules are smaller. The consistency is a bit thinner—more like a thin smoothie—and it is tart and creamy. (source)

Goat kefir – When Can Babies Have Yogurt Plus the Healthiest Options baby post by Mama Natural

Camel kefir

It sounds weird, but camel kefir is gaining popularity as a hugely healing food that’s great for kids with gut issues and food intolerances. In fact, studies suggest it can balance blood sugar levels, help kids overcome food allergies, boost immune function, and more. (source, source, source) Like regular milk, camel milk is a good source of healthy fats, but it has additional benefits, including more vitamin C and B, plus calcium, iron, and potassium.

Camel kefir – When Can Babies Have Yogurt Plus the Healthiest Options baby post by Mama Natural

Not seeing these brands in your local store? Keep these tips in mind while shopping:

• Look for yogurt that is labeled “100% organic whole plain yogurt”
• If your toddlers prefers a sweetened yogurt, choose yogurt that lists “organic cane sugar” or maple syrup as the sweetener. Avoid any yogurt with honey (as this can be dangerous for babies under 1), high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.

How to Introduce Yogurt

Because yogurt is dairy, one of the top common allergens, it’s important to introduce yogurt mindfully: Go slow and watch for reactions.

1. Start with 1 teaspoon of yogurt. It may not seem like much (especially if your baby enjoyed that first bite), but resist the temptation to give more than this.
2. Wait a day or two and slowly increase the quantity until you can serve 1/4 cup a day.

If you spot signs of an allergic reaction, check in with your pediatrician before serving any more dairy products. Common signs of allergies include rashes, running nose or congestion, gas, cramping, and GI upset.

Once you’ve introduced yogurt, you can start to get more creative:

• Add a little bit of breast milk to the yogurt
• Mix yogurt into baby food purees
• Add a drop of peanut butter to the yogurt (learn more about early introduction of peanut butter (and why it’s important)

How to Serve Yogurt to Older Babies and Toddlers

So your baby loves yogurt? What about your toddler? Try these 10 ideas for making yogurt even more delightful during mealtimes.

1. Banana yogurt: Mash 1/4 of a banana with 1/4 cup of 100% organic plain yogurt.
2. Cherry yogurt smoothie: Blend 1/2 cup of plain yogurt with 5 frozen dark sweet cherries or tart cherries. (This may help baby sleep better, too!)
3. Sweet potato and yogurt: Mash 1/2 of a roasted sweet potato and top with a dollop of plain yogurt. This is a great way to sneak savory yogurt ideas into dinnertime.
4. Peanut butter yogurt dip: (Find out why you’d want to give baby a little peanut butter.) Mix 1 tsp. of peanut butter in a 1 TB of plain yogurt. Use this as a dip for sliced apples.
5. Blueberry yogurt mash: Combine 1 jar of organic blueberry baby food (or fresh blueberry puree) with 1/4 cup of plain yogurt. Mix well.
6. Baby version of tzatziki: Wash and peel a cucumber, and then place it in the food processor. Add 1/4 cup of pureed cucumber into 1 cup of plain yogurt. Add the juice of half of a fresh lemon. (For more adventurous eaters, you can even add a small piece of garlic or a few cherry tomatoes to the food processor.)
7. The Bowel Blend :): This combo is great for a constipated baby. Mix 2 oz. of pureed prunes (Earth’s Best makes a jarred version) into 4 oz. of yogurt. Blend well and serve. (You can even add 1/8 tsp of your favorite infant probiotic for an added bathroom boost!)
8. Maple yogurt parfait: Stir one teaspoon of 100% real maple syrup into 1/2 cup of plain yogurt. Top with mashed strawberries.
9. Oatmeal yogurt breakfast bowl: Make your baby’s favorite oatmeal (steel cut oats, rolled oats, etc.). Mix oatmeal and yogurt in a 2:1 ratio. Top with fresh fruit or a homemade blueberry puree.
10. Tortilla-free tacos for baby: Mix 100% grass-fed beef with black beans. Add a little dollop of plain yogurt and let your baby explore new flavors.

How About You?

When did you introduce yogurt to your baby? How do you like to serve yogurt?

The post When Can Babies Have Yogurt? Plus, the Healthiest Options appeared first on Mama Natural.

What is an Oatmeal Bath?

As the name suggests, an oatmeal bath is when you soak in oatmeal-infused water. Although this sounds like a potential plumbing disaster, there is a trick to this age-old remedy: oatmeal flour. Dumping rolled oats into your tub would indeed clog the pipes, but when powdery-fine oatmeal flour is mixed into warm water, the result is a silky, “milky” bath that soothes even the most irritated skin.

How to Make an Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal bath ingredients

• Warm tap water
• 1 cup of  colloidal oatmeal (you can make your own—see directions below—or purchase colloidal oatmeal here.)
• Soft towels for patting dry
• After-bath emollient or body butter

How to make colloidal oatmeal

If you don’t have colloidal oatmeal on hand, you can make your own:

1. Place one cup of regular, raw oats into a clean coffee grinder, high-powered food processor or blender.
2. Grind oatmeal into a fine powder.

Note: If one tablespoon doesn’t dissolve easily into one cup of water, the powder is not ground fine enough. Continue grinding until your test results in milky, silky water.

How to Give an Oatmeal Bath

1. Fill the tub with warm bath water. Hot water (usually described as 120 degrees Fahrenheit) can scald or irritate already sensitive skin, so stick with warm water—about 90 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. (A simple bathtub thermometer like the one you use for your newborn bath can make this process easier.)
2. As the water is filling the tub, pour one cup of colloidal oatmeal into the tub.
3. Stir and mix well with your hand. Once mixed, the water should feel silky and look milky.
4. Soak for 10-20 minutes.
5. Rinse off with fresh, lukewarm water.
6. Pat skin dry.
7. Apply an emollient within three minutes of drying off to help seal in the moisture. Using an emollient (instead of lotion) protects the skin barrier. (You can use real lanolin or this raw shea butter to make a whipped butter.)

Benefits of Oatmeal Baths

Wild oats—officially known as Avena sativa—have been used in personal care products for millennia.

• In 2000 BC, ancient Egyptians soaked in a wild oat baths to calm anxiety, as well as burns and eczema.
• Ancient Romans used oat baths for relieving sun burns.
• And in the 19th century, oat baths were used to soothe hives.

Why oatmeal? Why not quinoa, or wheat? Oatmeal contains a compound called avenanthramides that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. (source) In fact, there is so much evidence that supports the healing properties of wild oats that colloidal oatmeal has officially been classified as a skin protectant by the FDA. (source)

Oatmeal baths for rash/general irritation

Itchy, dry skin? Rashes? According to a study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, oats excel in soothing irritated and dry skin, because they are so high in starches. These starches help strengthen the skin barrier. Specifically, the compounds in the oats promote “lipid regulation in skin” which means your skin retains moisture better.

Oatmeal baths for hives

Hives appear as red welts and can be itchy and painful. It’s a common sign of allergies, so if you notice hives on your little one, be sure to check for other signs of food allergies. In the meantime, these types of baths can help soothe the skin. (source)

Oatmeal baths for eczema

If you have eczema, it’s especially important to protect the skin barrier, and because colloidal oatmeal is a classified skin protectant, soaking in it (and then following up with an emollient moisturizer) is a great way to treat inflamed patches. It also helps reduce the need for topical steroid cream. (source, source)

Oatmeal baths for poison ivy

If you encounter poison ivy, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests washing the area (and any clothes that came into contact with the plant) to remove as much of the oil as possible, then soaking in an oatmeal bath and applying calamine lotion and/or cold compresses afterwards.

Oatmeal baths for diaper rash

Oats are rich in vitamin E, which can help soothe your baby’s bottom and resolve diaper rash. Because oats also have a saponic, or soap-like, quality, these types of baths can even help prevent diaper rash in the future.

Oatmeal baths for chicken pox

According to the American Academy of Dermatology oatmeal baths can help relieve some of the itch when children develop the painful blisters associated with chicken pox.

Oatmeal baths for sunburn

Rich in vitamin E, the ant-inflammatory properties of the oats soothe scorched skin. (source) And because vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps block UV-B rays—the rays responsible for sunburns—soaking in oatmeal also helps your body repair any damage resulting from sunburn. (source, source)

How About You?

Have you made an oatmeal bath for your little one? Do you make your own colloidal oatmeal?

The post How to Make an Oatmeal Bath (And Why You’d Want To) appeared first on Mama Natural.

Types of Baby Carriers

Though the function is largely the same, there are multiple types of baby carriers. The three most popular include:

1. Ring slings

Ring slings are essentially a long piece of fabric with a sturdy circular ring attached to one end. The ring functions as a way to create a sling that holds your baby or toddler on your hip.

Pros: Easy for toddlers to nurse in a ring sling; easy to tie and insert your child

Cons: Can be uncomfortable for long periods, due to the uneven weight distribution

2. Wraps

A wrap is very similar to a ring sling—it just doesn’t have the ring. Instead, you simply tie the fabric to create a secure sling for baby. These types of wraps generally fall into two categories:

• Infant wraps are soft and stretchy, and are easy for beginners to tie. They are suitable from birth to about 35 pounds. That being said, the material tends to sag, so many mamas stop using the infant wrap well before the 35-pound mark.
• A woven wrap does not stretch or sag, which many mamas find more comfortable. But because they don’t stretch, they can be trickier to tie.

Pros: Very versatile; suitable from birth; multiple ways to carry your baby; can wrap twins; good for mamas of all sizes.

Cons: Have a longer learning curve; more difficult to do a back carry (older babies and toddlers only).

3. Soft-structured carriers

Soft-structured carriers are, as the name implies, more rigid. You do not have to fold, wrap, or tie these baby carries—you simply place baby inside the soft frame and secure a few snaps.

Pros: Ergonomically correct; easy for beginners; suitable from birth (sometimes with a pillow insert) to toddlerhood; front, back and side carry.

Cons: Unless you opt for a high-quality brand, the straps can dig into your shoulders; not as size-inclusive as other choices.

The Best Baby Carriers for Newborns

If there’s ever a time to start wrapping a baby, it’s during infancy. Your baby craves constant, loving touch, and wearing your baby makes that happen. On a practical level, carrying your newborn frees your hands up to get chores done, make a snack, take a walk outside, or get older children ready for bed.

Here are some of the best baby carriers for newborns:

Boba Baby Wrap

This is a good choice for cuddling those squishy newborns. While it does take a little more effort than a ring sling, the stretchy wrap is more forgiving to a beginner wrapper.

— Check it Out —

Boba Baby Wrap

Moby Sling

his sling offers a convenient way to carry baby when you're on-the-go. It's easy to stuff in a diaper bag, plus putting it on and getting baby in a comfortable position is a breeze once you get the hang of it.

— Check it Out —

Moby Sling

Didymos Woven Wrap

Not only is this the most beautiful pattern, but it is also made out of 100 percent organic cotton. You can start using this wrap from day one, and it will last until the toddler years—and beyond.

— Check it Out —

Didymos Woven Wrap

Ergo 360

The new Ergo carrier allows your baby to face outward without placing undue strain on her hips. This lets baby observe the world around them. Alternatively, you can choose to face baby inwards for naps or nursing sessions.

— Check it Out —

Ergo 360

LILLEbaby

The LiLLEbaby is well-built and meant to last for years. Plus, it boasts a 6-in-1 feature gives parents lots of options, including the front, back, and even a hip carry. You also don't need a pillow insert for newborn.

— Check it Out —

LILLEbaby

Didymos Woven Wrap

This 100 percent organic wrap can be tied in dozens of ways, giving you tons of options. Plus, it's sturdy enough to securely hold toddlers.

— Check it Out —

Didymos Woven Wrap

Are Baby Carriers Safe?

Before you invest in one of the best baby carriers, you may have a few questions about safety. The good news? With proper usage, a baby carrier is very safe. Follow the specific instructions that come with your baby carrier, but in general, safety rules include:

• Practice with a teddy bear until you are comfortable placing your baby in the carrier
• Make sure baby’s airways are clear
• Never place an infant in a back carry (Note: some manufacturers recommend 12 months, while others say baby must be able to sit up on their own. Check the literature that comes with your carrier for specifics.) 
• Follow best practices for hip safety (more on that below!)

Baby Carriers and Hip Safety

Perhaps you’ve heard that babywearing can harm babies’ hips? While properly carrying your baby won’t harm the hips, improperly carrying your baby can affect hip development.

To ensure proper hip development, your baby’s hips should make an “M” shape while they are in a baby carrier. The hips should be open, with the knees bent slightly.

(Image Source)

This “M” position is most compromised with the front carry. When your baby faces out, there’s too much pressure on the hips if baby’s legs dangle straight down. The best baby carries, like the Ergo 360 and the LILLEbaby carriers, hold baby’s hips in that “M” formation to make front carrying safe.

For more safety information, check out this post.

How About You?

Do you babywear? What do you think are the best baby carriers?

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The post The Best Baby Carriers for Newborns and Toddlers appeared first on Mama Natural.

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