mommymedia : baby

Baby and Toddler Yoga DVD

Madelyn8278 — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:51:00 GMT

Baby yoga is such a great idea but it’s not just for improving your baby’s flexibility. The exercises and gentle movements included in this DVD can help with digestion, promote sleep and encourage muscle development (theoretically helping your baby gain the strength to lift his or her head and sit up earlier). In addition, you and your baby will learn to communicate subtly with each other through practice. However, the beginning of this DVD seems to offer the mother very little in the way of exercise, which seemed odd. In addition, there were no accommodations for women who have had c-sections. Only a few of the movements for the infants seemed beneficial and enjoyable for the baby, but the few that were made the baby’s eyes light up with delight and their bodies seemed relieved afterwards. It was interesting to see how certain exercises visibly energized each part of the baby’s body.

The first part of this DVD had an ad-lib nature of teaching, making it seem unorganized and hard to follow. The toddler yoga on this DVD, however, is a completely different story. Some of the teachers were absolutely wonderful, the toddlers were so happy to take part in yoga and the parents got good exercise too. Even if you don’t like yoga, this section of the DVD will provide you with creative ways to interact with your toddler and the children’s antics while they do yoga will bring a smile to your face. That yoga “high” that you feel through practice is obviously a benefit children can feel too.

While this DVD is satisfactory and easily accessible even if you haven’t done yoga before, there are undoubtedly better ones on the market.

Pick up a copy here.

The Practical Encyclopedia of Pregnancy, Babycare and Nutrition for Babies and Toddlers

Satya — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:04:00 GMT

This is a great reference book for pregnant women and parents of children up to 18 months of age. It covers all the basics that mom and dad will need to know and includes valuable information on feeding a newborn, recipes, fussy-eaters guides, nutritional information and more.

The largest section features homemade baby food recipes. The recipes range from simple purees for babies just beginning to eat solids to thicker styles for older babies, as wells as more well-rounded recipes for toddlers. Each recipe includes nutritional information for easy reference.

This book may leave the reader wanting more information as it tends to cover topics broadly without delving into too much detail. However, it is a great starting point for expecting and new parents. Pick up a copy here.

Twins! (2nd Edition): Pregnancy, Birth and the First Year of Life

Satya — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:15:00 GMT

Since 1980, the increasing use of fertility treatments and the advancing age of many mothers in the United States has increased the birth rate of twins by nearly 45 percent. For mothers-to-be who are part of this rapidly growing group, it can still be difficult to find helpful, thorough information to guide them on their journey of carrying, delivering and raising twins. “Twins!” is a must-have pregnancy book made specifically for parents of – what else? – twins! Authors Connie Agnew, M.D., and Alan Klein, M.D., refer to the voyage from pregnancy through a lifetime of parenting twins as a “truly epic journey,” incorporating in their book a combination of helpful facts, educated opinion and candid discussions between the authors and a panel of twins' parents, which nicely outlines the journey’s first course for expectant parents of multiples. The format of “Twins!” is similar to the ever-popular “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” breaking information down into chapters of gestational weeks, outlining basic fetal development, mom’s changing body and other transitional issues. Chapters are further enhanced by illustrations of a mother’s pregnant body and her developing twins. One reader says, “The resource guide for parents [of twins] is excellent,” as, she says, is the information about immunizations and supplemental medicine. The other half of “Twins!” focuses on the first year of parenting twins, the challenges you might face in your relationships with you children and with each other. If you’re having twins, read this book! Pick up a copy here.

Hello, My Name is Mommy: The Dysfunctional Girl's Guide to Having, Loving (and Hopefully Not Screwing Up) a Baby

Satya — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:58:00 GMT

For every new mother and mommy-to-be who feels more helpless at times than she does confident, “Hello, My Name is Mommy” is a must-read. Funny, inspirational and honest, author Sheri Lynch writes from her own experiences as a child and her fears about becoming a mom. In a girlfriend-to-girlfriend tone, she speaks to readers about what many moms worry about, like whether her own dysfunctional past means she is doomed to repeat the cycle, or whether she can be a good mother even if her own mom didn’t exactly win the prize for “Mother of the Year.” In both a humorous and endearing way, “Hello, My Name is Mommy” reassures moms and moms-to-be that it’s normal to feel more out of control than aglow all the time, and just because you might think of kids as germy and somewhat gross, having these thoughts don’t make you a bad mom. For any mom or soon-to-be mom who’s ever felt alone in her thoughts, this insightful and laugh-out-loud guide will assure you that you’re not. One thankful mother who read this book in just a few days says she laughed, cried and gasped all the way through it. Full of useful advice and kind understanding, “Hello, My Name is Mommy” is a great read for any mother who isn't quite sure whether her maternal instincts can be trusted. Pick up a copy here.

Eating for Pregnancy: An Essential Guide to Nutrition with Recipes for the Whole Family

Satya — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:51:00 GMT

What is the one bad thing about having your own personal library of pregnancy books? Most of them only have a nine-month shelf life! So what should you do with them once your family is complete? You can sell them back to a used book store at half price, you can sell them at a garage sale for fifty cents a piece, or you can pass them down to your family members as they become pregnant. But wouldn’t it be nice to buy a book that you could still use after baby is born? “Eating for Pregnancy” is that book. It combines both recipes and nutritional advice aimed specifically at the mother-to-be, but moms who use the book while pregnant often find that they continue to use it after their babies are born. One mom says, “You don’t have to be pregnant to reap in the wonderful results of this cookbook,” adding that it is “chock full of priceless information on the nutrients we need, which foods have them and how to cook them.” Another plus, authors Jones and Hudson address the requirements of diabetic, vegetarian and vegan diets. Each recipe is followed by tips for cooking, storage, health and special diets, as well as complete meal ideas, variations and the approximate nutritional content. We especially like how each recipe highlights the nutritional goals for baby and mommy-to-be, aptly called "What’s in this for baby and me." Best of all, you’ll appreciate the plethora of information this cookbook has to offer years after your baby is born. Pick up a copy here.

Preemies: The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies

Satya — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:52:00 GMT

Dana Linden, Emma Paroli & Mia Doron, M.D.

One out of every eight babies in the U.S. is born prematurely – a 30 percent increase over rates in 1981 – but in the majority of these cases the mothers have no known risk of giving birth early, so it’s impossible for them to prepare for the challenges and emotions they will experience in the neonatal unit.

“Preemies,” written by two mothers (with the help of a physician who specializes in neonatology) who met in the hospital when their babies were born just a bit too early, gives new parents a crash course in premature newborns in the form of a comprehensive guidebook. The authors fulfill the overwhelming need for information with remarkable clarity in this informative book, offering straightforward answers to a long list of questions any worried parent might have.

“Preemies” covers a plethora of issues in four main sections (Before Birth, In the Hospital, A Life Together and Other Considerations) including risk factors, possible problems in the newborn’s first days, taking the baby home, possible long-term prognoses and more. While medical information is presented in detail, the authors maintain a personal, reassuring tone throughout the book, explaining that, although their organs and body functions are not fully developed, most premature babies are generally healthy. The information is presented in question-and-answer format, which makes it simple to navigate the book and find exactly what you’re looking for. It also serves as a useful tool for communicating with medical staff at the hospital, which can be a daunting task for new parents who have questions but aren’t sure how to ask them. In addition, the resource guide and glossary are especially helpful.

So if you’re a parent of a premature baby and you’re looking for an authoritative, practical, and encouraging reference tool, “Preemies” is the book that will both meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Pick up a copy here.

Baby Laughs: The Naked Truth About the First Year of Mommyhood

Satya — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:45:00 GMT

Save Jenny McCarthy’s Baby Laughs for when you need a pick-me-up because you are definitely going to laugh. It is a riot and pokes fun at some of the biggest stressors a new mom can face. It can easily be read in one sitting, but try to take your time and enjoy it.

Reading her book is like sitting in a room with McCarthy herself, watching her run frantically around her home in complete panic with her newborn in her arms. Being the bodacious babe that she is, it feels great to hear the pregnancy hormones did a number on her, and even she had trouble losing the baby weight.

McCarthy is brutally honest, which is completely refreshing for a first-time mom. Her advice is caring and open-minded. Her parenting style and experiences are common to many of us. She encourages moms to stand by their choices, but still gives information on the many options available to us and why one may be better than the other.

Baby Laughs is a must-read for any new mom! Pick up a copy here.

The Idiot’s Guide to Sleep Training for Your Child

Satya — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:26:00 GMT

“The Idiot’s Guide to Sleep Training for Your Child” by Melissa M. Burnham and Jennifer Lawler gives the reader an easy-to-understand overview of the different techniques that can be used to help children sleep. It covers everything from infant sleep habits to those of teenagers, and includes valuable scientific information about different age groups and types of kids, including special needs children.

Some readers might find this book so easy to read that they are unable to focus, as it is sometimes repetitive and so simple it can be exhausting. Stick with it, though, in order to learn everything each sleep method has to offer. The authors particularly emphasize Ferber’s “cry it out” method, as well as a section at the end for “new age” techniques like meditation, yoga, tai chi, Feng Shui and other alternatives.

While the resounding message of the book is to follow routines and rituals at bedtime, it also sheds light on common sleep issues that may require a doctor’s evaluation.

For a parent needing relief from a child who won’t sleep, “The Idiot’s Guide to Sleep Training” is reassuring and helpful without leaving you hanging because one method didn’t work. It won’t leave you an expert on any one sleep technique, but it provides a good place to start and showcases every available option. Pick up a copy here.

Sign With Your Baby: How to Communicate With Infants Before They Can Speak

Madelyn8278 — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:12:00 GMT

Here’s a book that offers more than just a good read.

The discovery that babies as young as seven months old can understand sign language much earlier than spoken language was the inspiration for Joseph Garcia’s book “Sign With Your Baby,” which offers new moms and dads an effective way to communicate with their children before they can speak.

Using anecdotes, illustrations, practical guidelines and humor, Garcia teaches parents how to use simple sign language gestures to communicate with their babies during the pre-speech phase by recognizing when their children are receptive to learning signs, recommending which signs to teach first and sharing ideas for games to help make the learning process fun.

One of the things readers appreciate most about “Sign With Your Baby” is that Garcia advocates the use of American Sign Language (ASL). While other baby sign language books encourage parents to make up “easier” signs as they go along, babies who learn to sign using ASL are developing a skill they can use well into the future.

As one mother put it, “‘Sign With Your Baby’ is a godsend to frustrated infants and their parents everywhere.”

Get yourself a copy here.

Classical Baby (3-Pack: Music, Art & Dance)

Madelyn8278 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:18:00 GMT

If you have a love for the arts and are the parent of a child between six months and four years old, both you and your little one are sure to enjoy the “Classical Baby” three-disc DVD set. Each 30-minute disc focuses on a single area – music, art and dance – using bright colors, catchy melodies, and animated characters to introduce babies and toddlers to famous pieces of music, well-known works of art, and various styles of dance.

Disc one, “The Art Show” provides a tour of some of history’s greatest masterpieces by such modern visionaries as Monet, Van Gogh, Pollack and more, complete with cute little animated frogs. Famous musical themes, from classical to jazz, also set the scene for an exhibit of sculptures from the 1500s to the 20th century.

Next, “The Music Show” features an animal orchestra led by a toddling baby conductor performing pieces by classical composers including Bach, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Bartok. Violin-playing crickets take part in performances from chamber music to opera.

“The Dance Show” is delightful, as animal characters perform dance moves from ballet to Broadway, inspired by choreography greats like Pilobolus and Balanchine.

While the “Baby Einstein” series has received more media attention, many moms prefer HBO’s take on introducing children to the arts. One mom, who is also an elementary school music teacher, says, “While both [‘Classical Baby’ and ‘Baby Einstein’] are totally conducive to the overload of visual stimulation for the very young, ‘Classical Baby’ has a more artistic approach, and I find it to be more fruitful for young minds.” Another mom says, “I do not find ‘Classical Baby’ as nerve-wracking as the ‘Baby Einstein’ DVDs after repeated plays … a pleasant experience for the entire family to enjoy over and over again.”

Get yourself a copy here.