Fab Find: Personalized Baby Journals from Minted

To be honest, I haven't written a whole lot in Pooka's beautiful Binth Baby Book. It only lasts up to age three, which she turned last month, so I guess it's obsolete now anyways. As for the Little Man, he hasn't even got a baby book, just a series of jotted down milestones spread between our wall calendar and my "notes" on my iPhone. Whenever I feel bad about not making a better effort to document my kids lives, my husband always points out that we have thousands of photos and hundreds of videos of the kids thanks to living in this modern, digital, smart phone age. So in some sense my kids will have a digital archive that would certainly rival the most diligently filled in baby book. But I still have a fear and mistrust of relying solely on computers and smart phones to be the repository of my children's many amazing milestones and life events. Perhaps it's because we have had two desktops and at least one laptop crash on us, swallowing up all of our data into a digital black hole (thanks to things like iCloud this should be less of an issue in the future, but still...).

But I may have found the perfect solution with these adorable personalized (and inexpensive) journals from Minted. We love Minted and have used it in the past for Little Man's birth announcements and other invitations and know they have excellent customer service and quality products. These journals seem to be no exception. With cute personalized designs and photos on the cover and 40 lined, graph, or blank pages inside you can use these journals any way you choose to keep those special moments around for posterity. I'm leaning towards the Hello, Stripes Journal for the Little Man and perhaps the Fleur de Noel Journal for Pooka. These would also be unique baby gifts to give to friends, especially your friends that have everything. My recommendation would be to not personalize the journal to say "Baby's First Year" because odds are most parents can't fill 40 pages in the first year, and so many exciting things happen in the following years that you wouldn't want to limit the journals use (for instance most babies start walking between 9-14 months so a first year journal might skip one of the most exciting milestones there is).

April showers bring decked out babies: Big City Moms Spring 2010 Biggest Baby Shower

The Big City Moms always put on a wonderful event, and their Spring 2010 Biggest Baby Shower was no excception. This time the venue moved from American Girls Place to the spacious Park East ballroom. Products filled the two ballrooms from dozens of vendors. On display were new products from some of our favorite vendors including Orbit Baby, Momma Couture, Zoli Baby, Maclaren, Skip Hop, Bugaboo, Boon Inc., and Oeuf to name a few. Also on hand were fab newcomers like Simplisse Breast Feeding Products, Stride, Hop Pop, Tomee Tipee, and the amazing Taga Bike and Luxury Stroller. Expectant moms had the opportunity to test out multiple brands of strollers, check out furniture, diaper bags, and the latest in all things baby.

Guest speakers included Dr. Alan Greene (see this post to learn more about Dr. Greene) and the wonderful Carley Roney from The Knot empire. Roney spoke about her favorite essential gear for new moms. These included some of our personal faves like the Orbit Baby stroller , which she highlighted as the "Sunday Brunch" stroller thanks to Orbit's patented technology that allows you to pull the stroller up to the table and spin the seat so baby faces you! She also talked about Momma Couture's clever Stinky Bum diaper clutch (another of our favorites and a previous "Fab Find"). Roney pointed out that no matter which stroller you chose, having only one stroller will never fulfill all your strolling needs. She suggested getting a lightweight umbrella stroller for traveling onthe subway on in the airport. Her picks were any of the strollers in the Maclaren line or the Uppa Baby G-Lite. Roney praised the ubiquitous Baby Bjorn carriers for babywearing, and spoke about The Bump's new iPhone app called Baby 411 (see my other favorites in this post).

Finally, Roney, a serious career mom, gave some fantastic advice on being a new mom:

1) Get OUT of the house and take lots of walks!
2) Make sure to network with other moms and build a support system
3) NURSE in PUBLIC (my personal fave!)

Roney explains that breasts are very portable and make it easy to feed on the go and to find places in your neighborhood where you can comfortably nurse such as baby boutiques and department store lounges (Saks has a great one on the fourth floor). Don't hesitate to meet with a lactation consultant if you are having any nursing problems. Other key advice Roney imparted on the expectant moms was to relax, trust your instincts, and give yourself plenty of time to learn this whole motherhood thing! She is truly and inspiring women!

As always, the gift bags far exceeded expectations. The overflowing (and heavy) bags had far too many items to list them all, but some standouts included the new Uppa Baby Car Seat Bubble (universal to fit dozens of car seats), a Bugaboo Stroller Blanket, gorgeous mittens from Oeuf, Robeez shoes, a Company Store Kids crib sheet, a Naturepedic Organic Piddle Pad, a set of Boon Benders utensils, bottles from MAM Baby, Prince Lionhart, Born Free, and Tomee Tipee, and multiple coupons for everything from strollers to nursery furniture. And that's just scraping the surface of the booty moms received in their gift bags. Add to that the individual gifts the moms won in the Baby Bingo Raffle and it almost tops the shower your friends and family throw for you!

Luxe Life: Kate Spade Bon Mot X-Ray Coal Baby Bag

Kate Spade holds a special place in my heart. I got my first bag in college and it opened my eyes to the world of designer handbags. Her bags were just making a splash back then, and I felt so swank when I carried my brown nylon tote around town. In fact, I still own that bag and it makes a guest appearance now and again. The Bon Mot X-Ray Baby Bag in Coal embodies Kate's signature style with it's whimsical illustrations of the likely contents of your diaper bag. I love the strong navy and orange colors, and it will look great next to your towel by the pool in St. Barth's or on the sand in Nantucket this summer. The bag has plenty of pockets for storing all your baby gear and although it is canvas on the outside it has a waterproof interior to deal with the inevitable spills that come along with mommyhood! Pair it with this marvelous Mysie Top by Calypso (in KNCKERS) and you will look fresh and ready to take on anything your baby throws at you (with Pooka it's usually peas!).

What I really needed at the Hospital

Every pregnancy book, birth book or website has a helpful list of the things you will need to take to the hospital. They are very helpful because, thanks to pregnancy brain, remembering to pack things like your toothbrush or comfy socks might get lost in the shuffle. On the other hand, there are tons of things that you might not ever need, and how big of a bag do you plan to take? The most important thing to remember is that what every mama will need is different based on the type of birth they are planning. We were hoping for a natural birth and packed many items to help with pain management. In the end we were induced (Pooka had no fluid left to swim in) and after 12 hours of Cervidil and 7 hours of Pitocin with zero progress I took an epidural, which made many of the comfort items we packed obsolete. If you are planning to use pain medication or have a scheduled c-section you may not need essential oils, a massage ball, or hot/cold packs. The list I am making here is based on my experience, but should apply to every birth scenario. It is designed to supplement the more extensive list you get from those books and websites.

1. Pillows, Pillows, Pillows: Check with your hospital to see how many pillows are available in your delivery room. Ours literally only gave one per mama, and they were flat as pancakes. Perhaps your hospital will give you several, but if they don't make sure to bring your own. I brought two, but wish I had brought four. Sounds crazy, right? But I would have given my right pinky toe for a couple more before I took that epidural. Besides, you may be at the hospital for a few days and having some creature comforts like your pillow from home may soothe your tired soul. Oh, and make sure if you do bring a favorite pillow that it has a pillow case you don't care about because things do get messy with all that birthing going on!

2. Towels: You know how those towels at the gym barely cover your essential parts? Our hospital had the same size towels, and they didn't even begin to cover my ample pregnancy assets. I brought a big fluffy towel from home and was thankful for it after every shower during the four days and three nights we spent at the hospital. Again, bring an old towel if you are worried about any stains. In fact, just looking at that towel makes me shudder a bit so you may want to toss it when you get home.

3. iPod with Speakers: I made two playlists for the hospital. The first was gentle but upbeat music laced with songs that made me happy and meant something to me, like our wedding song and songs from concerts my husband and I attened. The second playlist was composed of my favorite lullabies from Rockabye Baby. We used both playlists during labor and after delivery. The doctor and nurses especially liked the lullabies and asked us about them when they were in our room. We had also played the same music for a few weeks prior to Pooka's birth so playing them in the hospital gave her a sense of continuity. Make sure to bring battery operated speakers and plenty of extra batteries, because most hospitals won't let you plug anything in.

4. Cozy Sweatshirt: I frequently felt cold at the hospital and was so grateful I had brought along a 3/4 length tie-front sweatshirt from Lululemon. I'm not a bathrobe wearer so having this sweatshirt was key. I wore it while walking the halls during labor, and later while nursing my newbie.

5. Comfy Socks and Slip-On Shoes: Bending over to put on shoes after you deliver is not easy, particularly if you have a c-section. So bring some big fluffy socks with grippy traction on them so you can head to the bathroom during the night without having to put on shoes. But you will want shoes when you venture out of your room so make sure they can easily slip on. Again, there is a possibility of them getting stained so you may not want to bring brand new Ugg slippers!

6. Breastfeeding Book: Unfortunately our hospital did not have a lactation consultant on duty, but the baby nurses were very knowledgeable when we needed help getting Pooka latched. But I also wanted to remember all the little tips and tricks I had learned at my breastfeeding class and from the books I had read. And by the way, I dragged my husband to our breastfeeding class (he was one of two men there). It was much easier than having him ask a hundred questions after the baby was born, and he was able to provide an extra level of support. We brought The Nursing Mother's Companion by Katherine Huggins with us and we both referred to it regularly over the three days we were in the hospital.

7. Fashionable Hospital Gown: So I know this sounds crazy, but having my own cute yellow and pink polka dot hospital gown to slip into after the birth was like a tonic for my soul and made our first memories with Pooka picture perfect. By picture perfect I mean literally, since pics of Mama, Dada and baby were being snapped left and right and I wasn't sporting a crappy hospital issued gown. It was also perfect because the nurses still had appropriate access to my IV, etc, and it was super easy to breastfeed in because the shoulders quickly unsnap. My family thought I was neurotic for purchasing my own gown, but then again I labored and gave birth in my own tank top and Binsi Birthing Skirt because I hate hospital gowns that much. But hey, I wasn't there because I was sick, I was there to have one of the most memorable moments of my life and I wanted to look good doing it! Just note that the birth process can be very messy, so you may not want to actually give birth in your cute hospital gown (the Old Navy Maternity tank top I wore was very stained and had to be cut off of me after the birth because of my IV). There are several cute options for hospital gowns, including Peanut Shell, Dear Johnnies, and B.Y.O.G. (I had the Lemon Drop pattern).

8. Baby Bottle and Pacifier: Pooka is breastfeed and has never taken a pacifier, but she does take a bottle on occasion. Before she was born I was completely against giving her a bottle or pacifier until she was at least a few weeks old and past the point of nipple confusion. But despite our best laid plans I wasn't producing much milk yet and Pooka wasn't peeing (it's a requirement for your baby to pee before you are released from the hospital), so the nurses began feeding her formula. Luckily our hospital was just a few blocks from our apartment and a family member was able to fetch our bottle of choice. If she had to drink formula I wanted her to have the most breast-like bottle. The same goes for pacifiers. If there is a particular brand you want your baby to use introduce it at the hospital.

9. Multiple Baby Outfits: So you obviously know that you need a going home outfit for your wee one, but I would bring more than one. First, if you stay at the hospital for a few days you might want your little one to wear something other than white during that time. But more importantly, you can never be sure what will actually fit. Pooka was expected to be over 7 lbs based on level 2 scans we had the last few weeks, but in reality she was less than 6 lbs. I had brought three outfits, but only the absolute smallest one worked for her. Other friends have unexpectedly had 9 lb babies when they were expecting 8 lbs. So make sure to pack a good size range so you'll be sure to have something that fits.

10. Baby Nail Clippers: I think this is totally odd, but our hospital would not clip Pooka's nails. And believe me, she had some serious daggers when she was born. Again, we had a family member bring a set from home but you should probably just throw a pair in your bag just in case.

11. Olive Oil: So you probably know that baby's first poohs are called meconium, and are tarlike and sticky. They can be very difficult to clean off your wee ones bum. A touch of olive oil can make things a lot easier. Apply a little with each change to keep the meconium from sticking and those first diaper changes will be a breeze!

As I mentioned previously, this is not meant to be an extensive list, but a supplementary list. There are many other things you may need, and probably a few that you won't. Things I didn't use included makeup, and the cute going home dress (I opted for my Lululemon pants and sweatshirt...how did my mom ever put on makeup and a dress?). I also brought Booby Tubes for breast engorgement, but didn't have good access to a microwave and ended up using hot wash clothes instead. I think in the end the lighter you make your bag the happier you'll be. There are also a few things you'll need once you get home, so stay tuned for a later post!

Photos of Pooka taken at the hospital by Hannah Hardaway Photography.

10 Things I couldn't live without for Breastfeeding

Last month I was invited to speak at Big City Moms Expectant Moms Dinner that focused on breastfeeding. As always, it was a wonderful event with every Mom walking away with prizes, and a lucky few winning strollers by Orbit Baby, Quinny, and Baby Jogger. Preparing for this dinner got me to thinking about my own experiences with breastfeeding. One of the biggest surprises with the entire new baby process was how challenging that breastfeeding can be. It seems like it is a natural evolutionary process that mothers should instinctively know how to do. I've travelled all over the world and seen women of every age and ethnicity easily feeding their babies the way nature intended. And yet, here in the states you hardly ever see that! Unlike in many other countries where exposing your breast to feed you child is not considered a taboo, here it is and I had never really seen a mother breastfeed until I went to a breastfeeding support group after Pooka was born. That's why we have to go to classes to learn how to do it! And my mother and other female relatives did not breastfeed their children so I had no expert wisdom to glean from them. So my best advice for those of you who plan to breastfeed is to stick it out for as long as you can to try and make it work. It took us 6 weeks to get comfortable, and 3 different lactation consultants to get all of our issues figured out. My mommy friends have run the gamut of experiences from relative ease with feeding, to low milk production, poor baby weight gain, and even mommy's who exclusively pump for months because their babies won't latch or went on a nursing strike. The bottom line is that breastfeeding doesn't work for everyone, and if trying to breastfeed impacts your quality of life and happiness with your child than it may not be the right choice for you (and don't heap your choice to formula feed onto the pile of mommy guilt that you will inevitably pile up over the years!).

I also want to share my experience with you, because it is one you are less likely to hear: I made too much milk! How is that a problem? You'd be surprised! Once my milk came in, it flowed like Niagra and I had a very fast letdown. The problem was that Pooka couldn't handle the volume and speed of milk flow, so to compensate she would bite my nipples to shut off the flow so she had time to swallow. Not only was the biting extremely uncomfortable (remember those Texas Tittie Twisters from middle school?), but throughout the feeding she would compress the nipple. This led to blistering and scabbing, but also to a more painful condition called vaso-constriction. Pooka was literally slowing down the blood flow to my nipples, and within five minutes after a feed my breasts would feel like they were on fire and full of pins and needles. But we stuck it out and got through it thanks to the help of the amazing Beverly Solow, a lactation consultant on the UWS. Once I knew what was happening and how to manage the pain Pooka and I were back on track. This leads me to my list of essentials for breastfeeding.

1. Lactation Consultant: In NYC there are multitudes of lactation consultants to choose from and your hospital is likely to have one in-house (unless you give birth at Roosevelt!). Make sure you choose an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), use this website to find ones in your area. Here in the city, my friends and I have had wonderful experiences with Beverly Solow, Ayelot Kaznelson, and Heather Kelly. Please know that every penny spent on a lactation consultant will pay you back in spades, and if you have a hard time coughing up the $200-300 for a home visit try one of the many drop in groups around town (especially those run by the ladies mentioned above).

2. Breastpump: My milk was slow coming in so my doula recommended pumping after every feeding the first few days. If you are going back to work a double electric pump is a must, but even if you are not they are still a good idea if you will pump regularly. Now that Pooka eats solids I am pumping daily to add to her cereal, so the pump is still a necessity. We have the Medela Pump In Style. Pumps are pricey, so if you don't want purchase one you can rent one from your hospital or local nursing or maternity store. Also be sure to check with your insurance company, ours agreed to pay for half the cost of our breast pump!

3. Hands Free Bra: As mentioned in a previous post, I pumped after every feeding for four days after Pooka was born before purchasing a hands free bra. I would have to prop my arms up on pillows because they would get tired holding the cones to my breasts, and forget reading, napping or holding your baby at the same time. My whole world changed after purchasing a hands free bra. Companies like Easy Expressions make hands free bras, or do what my friend did and cut two holes in an old sports bra. That wasn't an option for me, as my cup size grew from a B to a DD/E when my milk came in (eek)!

4. Nursing Pillow: You wouldn't think your little bundle of joy would feel all that heavy in your arms, but trust me when I say they will. First, your arms are not used to holding anything in a cradle position for an extended period of time (unless you played football in high school or college, but that seems unlikely). Second, getting the latch and holds right is not easy at first and you will need to use both hands, which means you will have a hard time juggling baby. I highly recommend purchasing a nursing pillow like the Boppy or My Breast Friend. I've had experiences with both and have some definite opinions. I purchased a Boppy after looking at both options in the store. I thought the My Breast Friend looked odd and really stiff, and I didn't like the idea of being strapped into it. Then I brought Pooka home (at 5 lbs 12 oz and 19.5 inches long) and discovered that she didn't fit well in the Boppy. She sort of fell in the hole between my belly and the pillow, and I had to roll up a towel and place it across the pillow to fill the gap for the first few weeks. Then I went to a lactation consultant and had the opportunity to use a My Breast Friend and I loved it. Because the pillow is attached it fits tightly to your belly (no gap) and the stiffness was really convenient for keeping the baby stable while getting her latch right. In retrospect I wish I had bought the My Breast Friend for the early months, although the Boppy is a perfect fit now with my older baby and I still use it every feed when I am at home. So check out both pillows an choose which one you think works best for you.

5. Breast Pads: Yes Virginia, you will leak milk! Somehow I thought I might get away with not leaking like the way I had dodged other pregnancy bullets like constipation or severe heartburn. But alas, that was not to be the case although there is the rare woman who doesn't leak regularly (maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones!). So do yourself a favor and stock up on beast pads. I tried both the Medela Disposable Bra Pads and and Lansinoh Pads. Both work great, but I preferred the Lansinoh pads because they had a larger circumference and were a bit thinner. I also have some reusable organic breast pads made by Imse Vimse they I used a lot when I was at home. They are super soft, particularly if you are cracked or scabbed. Oh, and if you produce lots of milk and leak while feeding check out the Milkies Milk Saver to catch and save leaky milk.

6. Lanolin Cream: It was on the list of essentials to have, but I chose an organic olive oil based nipple cream from Mother Love. This cream is great if you have minor irritation, but less effective if you are severely chapped, cracked, or bleeding (I was all three). On my first trip to a lactation consultant she recommended switching to a 100% pure lanolin-based cream, as lanolin is the only cream proven effective at healing nipples. The standard in this category is Lansinoh and it's easy to find and works great. My only concern was were the cream was sourced, since I was rubbing it on my nipples and my vulnerable newborn baby was sure to be ingesting some. I ended up using a Medela Pure Lan 100 because it was recommended by a lactation consultant who shared that it was pesticide free (although I can't seem to find any info to back that up).


7. Itzbeen Baby Care Timer: I couldn't have made it through the first few months without this amazing gadget. Read more about it here in a previous post.

8. Nursing Bras: I bought my first nursing bras at 30 weeks of pregnancy and wished I had bought them sooner. The lovely ladies at the Upper Breast Side pointed out how my underwire bras were leaving marks on the underside of my now ginormous breasts and could potentially lead to pluged ducts (ouch!). Trust me, nursing bras are much more comfortable than standard bras. My first two choices were a Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra and an Elle MacPherson Maternelle Bra. To get fitted, head to one of two NYC stores dedicated to breastfeeding: The Upper Breast Side on the UWS, and the newer Yummy Mummy on the UES. The two stores carry similar stock but definitely have different vibes. There is often a wait to be fitted at the UBS, the bras and clothes are kept in closets and brought to you rather than allowing you to browse, and you try things on Loehman's style (no dressing rooms, so don't be shy). But they are the original and certainly know their stuff, as well as advocate tirelessly on behalf of the rights of breastfeeding moms. Yummy Mummy is a more pleasant shopping experience with a beautiful store that allows you to browse the racks freely, try things on in a dressing room, and promotes an overall sense of tranquility. When I shopped there recently there were only a few other women who came in while I shopped. And Yummy Mummy ladies certainly know their stuff too.

9. Nursing Tops: Whichever store you choose, make sure to grab some nursing tops. You won't regret it the first time you feed in public and your torso is covered rather than on display for everyone to see how much baby weight you are still carrying. My favorites for warm weather or as an underlayer are tank tops by Bravado and Glamour Mom (go for the longer length on these) that don't require a separate bra. I lived in these last summer, and wear them now under sweaters and cardigans. I also love my hidden nursing tops and dresses by Mayreau, Boob Design, and Milkstars. Each company approaches nursing access differently. Mayreau does super soft jersey tops that are great when you want a slightly dressier look, using cowls or wrap styles to hide the nursing access. Boob Design from Sweden makes their organic cotton nursing tops and dresses with a hidden overlap right under your bust that you lift up for access. Their designs are sportier and good for everyday, and include pieces like hooded sweatshirts. Finally, Milkstars makes t-shirts with great details like micro-puff sleeves and double v-necks. They use a double layer for the entire front of the garment, and you simply lift the top layer for nursing access. Start with one or two styles , and add more as you find a favorite (and are sure you are going to continue breastfeeding).

10. Nursing Cover: If you choose to breastfeed you will eventually have to do it in public. The funny thing about using a nursing cover is that I don't actually use it for me, but to make sure that others don't feel uncomfortable. By the time I left the hospital and saw multiple lactation consultants I had no shame left about baring my breasts to strangers. These days I'm comfortable enough with my nursing tops that I can feed well in public without flashing any nip, and besides, Pooka loves to try to pull the cover off and expose me rather than concentrate on eating so I don't use one anymore. But you will definitely want a cover for the early months. It takes quite some time to get comfortable juggling your baby, unhooking your nursing bra, and getting a proper latch in public without the whole restaurant seeing your goods! I use a Bebe Au Lait, but Peanut Shell and Itzy Ritzy make great covers too.

So that sums up the bounty of my breastfeeding wisdom. Pooka still breastfeeds several times a day, and when her little hand reaches up and touches my face while she drinks I realize it has all been worth it! Oh, and when in doubt, the absolute best resource for breastfeeding info is the website KellyMom. Go there regularly to keep your sanity while going through this process!

Time for solids: The skinny on healthy feeding

My extreme dislike of peas is a family legend. At the tender age of four I went toe to toe with my dad at the dinner table, sitting for hours refusing to eat my peas and finally being sent to bed. I think I won that round, as dad never tried that tactic again. So when it came time to feed Pooka her first meal I put a considerable amount of thought into what that first meal would be. It became clear last week that she needed more than mommies milk to get through a night (she woke up ravenous at 3 AM three nights in a row, which is very unusual). I was very happy that we made it just shy of 6 months of exclusive breast feeding.

The first issue was what to feed Pooka for her first meal. I was armed with several books to help me make this decision. First, I had decided to make homemade baby food as often as possible. I have two books on home made baby food, the Organic Baby and Toddler Food Cookbook, by Lizzie Vann and Cooking for Baby by Lisa Barnes and have found them both very useful. To be honest though, at the outset you are steaming a single vegetable and pureeing it in your blender or food processor, so the cookbooks are a little irrelevant at this point. Many of my mom friends are also big fans of the Beaba BabyCook, which steams food and then purees it all in one bowl. It is BPA free but unclear whether it contains PVC or phalates, so make sure you do your research if you plan on using it daily. Personally, we live in a studio so adding another appliance to our counter didn't seem like a good idea. I actually use a hand or stick blender (sometimes called an emulsifier) which is great because I can use it right in the pot or a bowl, takes up little space, is portable for trips away, and makes a fab smoothie right in the glass you drink it from. I parcel out enough puree for a few days in the fridge, then freeze the rest in trays. Right now I am using the Beaba Multiportion Trays which are silicon and BPA, PVC, and phalate free. The silicon makes it easy to pop out a single portion when you need it, but I have found that I only need to fill them halfway to make a Pooka size portion at this stage. I also have the Kid Co BabySteps Freezer Trays that are designed more like an ice tray with a lid. They are BPA and phalate free and like an ice cube tray, you need to smack it on the counter a few times to loosen up a baby food cube. Kid Co also makes a manual or electric food mill as an alternative method of pureeing foods for baby (the battery operated food mill is great when you are on the go and want to feed baby from the table).

So now the question was what that food should actually be. I was inspired by two books, Feeding Baby Green by Dr. Alan Greene and Hungry Monkey by Matthew Amster-Burton. Feeding Baby Green is a fantastic book describing how babies start experiencing tastes while still in the womb and continue exploring new tastes through the first 2 years. He discusses windows of opportunity to expand your child's palate and hopefully encourage them to eat a wider variety during the picky toddler years when children experience Neophobia (otherwise known as "I will only eat french fries and chicken nuggets, and don't even think about bringing that green thing near me!"). He suggests trying as many as 10-15 times before your child excepts a particular food, and making sure to feed your child produce from all 21 categories he lists in his book. He also dispels many myths about food allergies and outdated modes of thinking when it comes to feeding babies and toddlers. We're on board with his program, I only wish it had been out when I was pregnant! Hungry Monkey is more of a foodlogue about a gourmet dad's effort to expose his daughter to a variety of foods, particularly those that people say kids shouldn't eat. It's humorous and encourages parents to think a little outside the rice-cereal box!

So Pooka ate her first solids a little over a week ago. We decided to bypass the rice-cereal for now. Her first meal was peas and she can't get enough. Seriously! By the end of her first meal she was literally opening her mouth, leaning forward, grabbing my hands and pushing the spoon into her mouth. Thinking my luck would hold I introduced Pooka to one of my favorite veggies a few days later, green beans. On her first bite she made a lip quivering frown and spit them out. Hmmmm, certainly not what I had expected, but perhaps apropos since I loathed peas as a child and she adores them. Since then she has enjoyed roasted acorn squash and had a mixed review of raw avocados. Per Dr. Green's method we tried the green beans again last night which garnered a slightly less strident rejection, but I think we still have a ways to go!

Sail Away in Petit Bateau Maternity

I am a huge fan of Petit Bateau for Pooka and myself. Their onesies and t-shirts are extra soft and wear very well. Their clothing line for babies is darling, and she wears her cargo pants at least three times a week. And now, miracle of miracles, Petit Bateau has its own maternity line! It almost makes me wish I was pregnant again (soon enough, soon enough!). I will definitely be heading here to stock up on maternity clothes when it's time to make Pooka a sibling. My favorites are the Light Cotton Maternity Undershirt with Gathers (why don't they just call it a turtleneck???) and the Maternity Dress with Gathers. It's a small collection, but full of staples. Grab a few pieces in a couple of colors and you're done! And while you're there don't forget to grab some onesies and footies for your upcoming arrival.

Mama's Night Out: Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower

Tuesday night I had the good fortune of attending Big City Mom's Biggest Baby Shower at American Girls' Place in NYC. What a fantastic event these ladies put on! Ironically, I didn't attend one of these events while I was pregnant but I am wishing I had. That being said, there was still plenty to offer for a new mama or mamas pregnant for their second or third time. Although the food spread would have been even more beguiling if I had been pregnant (ummm, cupcakes, cookies, and tarts, oh my!).

On offer were products from tons of baby companies and some really interesting seminars. For gear, I liked seeing the new Product Red Bugaboo strollers, the new iCandy strollers (I like the Peach Blossom for a growing family), diaper bags from Momma Couture and Rosie Pope, the new Cybex line of strollers and carriers (particularly the 2.Go carrier), beautiful knit items from Oeuf, and everything Skip Hop. We also got a chance to visit with our friends from Alex and Sam and Orbit Baby. And that's just a small sample of vendors that were displaying their wares. And you can't miss the gift bags. I was shocked with the amount of schwag loaded into the shiny silver bags. In my bag I found a Bugaboo stroller blanket, 6 bottles from different companies (I'm excited to try out the MAM bottle in particular), pacifiers, bibs, Baby Legs, a crib sheet from Company Kids, a baby t-shirt, scores of flyers, coupons and discount codes and more. In addition to the bags, nearly every Mama walked out laden with prizes from the baby shower bingo and raffles. Mamas won strollers, play gyms, carriers and every other kind of gear imaginable. Skip Hop alone gave away over a hundred gifts.

I also enjoyed two seminars. The first with the amazing Dr. Alan Greene who spoke about his new book, Feeding Baby Green. I was unfamiliar with his work prior to the shower, but now I am a huge fan. His ideas about how to feed your baby in the womb, while breast feeding and for the first year differ from what many pediatricians recommend, but make so much sense they are impossible to deny. I am now reading his book and will be sure to post a follow up when I am finished. I also sat in on the Save-A-Tot seminar that discussed infant health and safety topics and was a great refresher from the course I took before Pooka was born, and I even learned a few new things.

The evening concluded with a talk with the stunning actress and mother of two Kelly Rutherford (The OC, Gossip Girl, and many more) who shared her thoughts on being a working mother, breast feeding, vaccination, and more. I was astonished to learn that she breast fed her first child throughout her pregnancy with her second child, then continued to nurse both children after the birth of her second child. That's one dedicated Mama! Oh, and her children are not vaccinated if you were wondering (but I'm not touching that debate!).

Okay, so I guess I am gushing a bit, but I was very impressed by the whole event. If you have the chance to attend the spring shower I would highly recommend going. Big City Moms knows how to put on a great event!

Push Presents: Jewelry for Proud Mamas

My husband does not believe in "Push Presents." His attitude is similar to how he feels about holiday decorations (see Halloween post). I mean , realistically, that baby is coming out one way or another whether you husband is dangling a fancy bauble at the side of the bed or not. On the other hand, we are the ones who do all that pushing (or having major surgery) and dealing with the short term healing and long term scarring (physical and emotional) of bringing our little bundles of joy into the world. Needless to say, I did not receive a push present, but the holidays are coming and I'm still holding out hope for a baby inspired bauble (oh, and our 3rd anniversary is in December, so I guess I have two shots at this). So here's a collection of my favorite mommy jewelry, from the decadent to the recession conscious. And don't forget the grandmas, they typically love shiny things too!

Ok, let's start with the wish-listy, truly decadent pieces. By far the most inspiring mommy jewelry I have seen is by Heather Moore, but it ain't cheap. If I didn't already have a charm bracelet highlighting the important events in my life I would certainly be clamoring for one of the charm necklaces. Dream piece: a necklace with an initial charm (everyone in our nuclear family has the same first and last initial so that's a no brainer), Pooka's name and birth date charm, and a wedding date charm. Then more charms could be added as future offspring are added to our brood. I think I would like it to look like the Thomas and Heather Necklace. Or how about this stunning Rose, White, and Yellow Gold Channel Set Necklace (a girl can dream, right?). Some of the bracelets are amzing too. I love these very original Leather Cuff Bracelets. You can choose a series of names, words, messages and dates to fill this cuff in a graffiti style. I also like the bangle bracelets and cuff bracelets. You could add a new bangle with each additional child, although this could present a problem if you're like the Duggars! Heather Moore also offers rings, key chains, and even cufflinks and belt buckles. How cool would Daddy look sporting this belt buckle to work!

Another long time favorite of mine is Jeanine Payer. For years I have been collecting pieces of her unique jewelry featuring famous quotes. We've also given them as gifts to both of our mothers. My past pieces were chosen for their quotes and designs, but Payer now offers personalized photo pieces. Here's a great way to keep a picture of your little one close to your heart with a sweet saying (choose from 3 different quotes), and offers another chance to use that great birth announcement photo! I love the simplicity of the Hutton and Seurat necklaces. While you are there, take a look at the beautiful new 20th Anniversay Collection. I particularly like the Avalon and Vineet necklaces.

The Vintage Pearl has adorable silver necklaces that you can have personalized for a great price. Check out the Family Nest Necklace for a different look. I also like the elegant Mother of Pearl Necklace. Another designer to try is StephanieMc Designs who has an Etsy shop for her jewelry. The Framed Mommy Necklace is a great choice for moms and grandmas alike. Its features a charm with children's names and small charms for each birthstone. It's especially great for grandmas that have multiple grandchildren. Or for plenty of variety, Bliss Living has over three pages worth of mommy jewelry to choose among from multiple artists. The Julian & Co pieces with mini hand and foot prints are my favorite choice!

Don't know whether you are having a girl or boy or haven't picked a name yet? For years I have been wearing the simple string charm bracelets from Gas Bijoux. I actually don't take them off, sleeping and showering in them. When I was pregnant with Pooka I purchased the "Maman" charm bracelet for my mother to let her know I was grateful to her for raising me, since I was experiencing first hand the trials and tribulations of pregnancy. After Pooka was born I added the pink Maman bracelet to my own collection. Gas Bijoux has boutiques in SoHo and the Upper West Side. You can see the bracelet style among the flash slideshow on their site, but unfortunately they do not have images of the individual bracelets online. I will try to post a photo of them online in the near future.

There are choices in every price range if you want to wear your new mommy-hood in pride. They make a wonderful gift for new or expectant mommies, so with the holidays around the corner make sure to add them to your list. Oh, and you should do it soon because many of these vendors take a few weeks to make the personalized charms!

Alex & Sam: Socially conscious gift-giving for baby!

I recently had the opportunity to meet the founder of an innovative website named Alex & Sam: The Art of Giving. What I love about this site is that you can purchase a variety of baby products (as well as jewelry and products for the home) for the same price as you would from another retailer, but a portion of the proceeds goes to charity. Alex & Sam calls this "socially conscious gift-giving" and prides itself on carrying an edited selection of high quality products.

The site carries everything from baby clothing to bedding, nursery decor, and baby carriers. Some of our favorite brands are represented including Serena and Lily, Dwell Studio, Organic Egg by Susan Lazar, Kissy Kissy, Mia Bossi and Dante Beatrix amongst others. Check out the Egg by Susan Lazar Wool Girl Pea Coat, the Plain Mary "Hunk" onesie, Serena and Lily's beautiful Sausalito Moses Basket, and Dwell Studio's new Paper Doll crib bedding.

Want something personalized? You've come to the right place. You name it, and they can put a name on it! The selection of high quality personalized items is one of the largest I've seen. Choose from albums, burpies, blankets, nursery decor and even clothing. I love the Bon Bon Corduroy Dresses with monogram! How about a personalized yoga mat?

When checking out you can select from a number of non-profit organizations to support, or the donation can be split amongst all the selected charities. These charities include: Baby Buggy, Robin Hood Foundation, St Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Fund for Public Schools (Shop for Public Schools), Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, New Alternatives for Children, WomenWork!, Friends of Yemin Orde (a youth village in israel), and more. The list is always expanding.

The best part of Alex & Sam is that you can create a baby registry on their site. Let's be honest, if you are having a baby you are going to get plenty of gifts. Wouldn't it be nice to know that other children and families can benefit from your gift too! Already had your little ones? Order holiday cards or thank you notes and spread the holiday cheer to the participating charities. Alex & Sam does personalized stationary, birth announcements, invitations, and holiday cards. We're thinking about ordering the Joyful Flowers holiday card by Stacey Claire Boyd.

Life with Pooka readers can receive a special discount when ordering from Alex & Sam. To receive 20% off any purchase or 30% off any stationary products, when checking out enter code: Pooka

BPA is not just in baby bottles: Ditch your SIGG for stainless steel bottles

About 5 years ago I traded in my Nalgene bottles for the cute and slender SIGG reusable drinking bottle. Then there was the controversy about the harmful plastics in Nalgene bottles leaching into the water. I smugly swigged from my SIGG and thought myself superior for making the switch. That is until last week, when SIGG announced that any of its bottles made prior to August 2008 contained BPA in the liner. Turns out that aluminum leaches baddies into your water too, so the bottles were coated in a liner containing BPA. Oops, BPA also leaches baddies into your water! The worst part is that SIGG kept the contents of its liners secret for proprietary reasons, while at the same time ensuring the public that the bottles were perfectly safe (read more at The Soft Landing). The slew of legislation currently taking place all over the US to ban BPA in baby products finally forced SIGG to admit to BPA in their bottles. Did I mention that SIGG also makes sippy cups? Or that I have been drinking out of their bottles for years? Or that I drank from my SIGG bottles throughout my pregnancy and while breast feeding? Actually, I drank out of them right up until last week! So glad I give Pooka BPA free bottles and teethers but expose her to it in my breast milk. Shame on you SIGG!

But fear not, there are plenty of fabulous options for replacing your old SIGG bottles. First stop, The Soft Landing. This site is dedicated to anything and everything BPA free. I have order great teethers, toys, and bottles. They even have a section for pets. They are running a great program right now if you have some SIGG bottles lying around: The Bigg Bottle Swap. Ship them your SIGG and they will recycle your bottle and give you a 30% discount on a new stainless steel bottle from their site. If you don't have a SIGG you can still register and receive 20% off a purchase.

But what bottle should you choose? There are plenty of options out there in plain old stainless steel, which appears to be the safest material at the moment. Kleen Kanteen has a wide range of bottles in all different sizes. You can choose from 6 different top styles, including an Avent sippy cup top to use with the smaller bottles in the range. I use a 18 oz pink bottle that fits perfectly in my stroller cup holder. Missing the cute graphics on your old SIGG bottle? Try a U-Turn 2 Tap bottle. The only come in 27 oz, but have beautiful illustrations by Laguna Beach artist Shane Towley. I have the green "Hope" bottle and find it to be the perfect size for car trips. Finally, if you want an insulated bottle to keep your beverages hot or cold I like the bottles from ThinkSport. They come in two sizes and incorporate a mesh screen to keep ice or loose tea leaves from clogging the drinking spout. I think I may have to get one of these for my husband to replace his SIGG hot beverage mug.

While new SIGG bottles are being produced without BPA in the liners, they have lost me as a customer. The SIGG CEO recently released an apology statement and they have instituted an exchange program to replace your old bottle with a new BPA free bottle. I think the most ironic part of this issue is that we buy things like SIGG bottles to try to lessen our impact on the environment and we end up hurting ourselves. Sometimes it feels like you really can't win, but I still want to keep trying!

Green your skincare regime: Healthy for you and baby!

When I got pregnant with Pooka I began looking for ways to reduce the amount of toxins and chemicals in our daily life. First we changed the products we used to clean the house, then the products we used to clean ourselves. Obviously this was very important when Pooka was still in the womb and anything I added to my system was also added to hers. Once she was on the outside I sought the highest quality baby care products and religiously read labels to make sure they are free of nasties like PEGs, parabens, and sulfates. But what about the beauty products I was using? Everyday Pooka has her hands all over my hands, face, and hair (usually yanking it out with her vice-like pinchers!), and then she joyfully stuffs her hands into her mouth. In an effort to reduce her exposure to chemicals and toxins I cleaned all the products out of my vanity and replaced them safer, chemical free, and often eco-friendly products.

When it comes to skincare, women have their products they can't live without and are loath to give up. Switching skincare products was easier for me, as my dermatologist-prescribed products contained salicylic acid which is a no-no during pregnancy and I was forced to find new products. I found two great lines that worked wonderfully. I am currently using the Nude Skincare line which is free of just about every nasty you can think of, smells fantastic, and has minimal packaging made of recyclable materials. I use the Facial Cleansing Oil, Hydrating Water, Age Defense Moisturizer, Replenishing Night Oil, and Nude Lips. While the line is not inexpensive I was able to get a travel sized kit to test the products first, and the moisturizer and night oil lasted over six months. For a less expensive but similar line try Evan Healy, which is available at Whole Foods stores. Similarly, they have a cleansing milks, hydrating tonics, treatment oils, and mosturizers. Evan Healy's products also smell marvelous, are packed with ingredients like rose, lavender, and tea tree, come in glass bottles, and are free of any nasties.

I also chose to detox my makeup bag, although these days I hardly find time to put any on aside from under eye concealer! My favorite is Josie Maran. Her products contain natural, organic ingredients with no fragrances and parabens, and are packaged in biodegradable compacts. I'm a huge fan of the concealer (which I use judiciously after late nights with Pooka) and the simple ease of the Finger Paints compacts. They combine four creme shade that can be used for eyes, cheeks, and lips. I throw one in the diaper bag and can go all day. I also use the mascara which is nice and light, perfect for a day out on the town. And to keep my baby-kissing lips safe I use the Plumping Lip Gloss which uses marine collagen to do the plumping rather than irritants or stimulants that cause your lips to swell. I also plan on picking up the Bronzing Argan Oil to give me an artificial and healthy summer glow.

And don't forgot what's in the tub! Although it is difficult to find shampoos, conditioners, and body washes devoid of nasties, they are out there. I was always a designer shampoo kind of girl, so making this switch was a bit painful at first, but in the end I was pleasantly surprised. In our shower we use shampoos and conditioners from Burt's Bees (I use the volumizing set) and have had fantastic results. At $8.00 a bottle it is a great savings compared to the $20-30 I used to pay before, and I haven't been disappointed with the results. For bodywash my husband and I both use Pangea Organics. The formula is concentrated, so you only need a drop to get clean and the small bottle lasts for months. The are six different scents, and we love the Indian Lemongrass and Rosemary. The line also has lotions, oils, bar soaps and facial products. We also really enjoy the scent of Ren's Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash, but at $27.00 a bottle it's a splurge! Ren has a full skincare line and is free from synthetic ingredients.

There are tons of choices out there for you to detox and green your personal skincare regimen and safeguard you baby. These are just a sample of what's available, and they are the ones that have worked for us. If you are curious about the products already in your cabinet you can check the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database run by the Environmental Working Group, which independently tests thousands of products and rates their safety on a scale of one to ten.

Things we couldn't live without the first 3 months with Pooka

My expectant mom friends love to ask this question, and I'm sure the answer is different for every new mom, but I thought I would share some of the things my husband and I couldn't live without those first few weeks and months.

1) Itzbeen Baby Care Timer: We used the timer to mark the end of each feeding and the last diaper change. When things were crazy and sleep-deprived it helped to keep track of the time between feedings, as Pooka ate every 2 hours in the early days. It's much simpler than marking a log or trying to remember the exact time of the last feeding. I also used the timer to keep track of how long she fed on each side, and there is a helpful button to remember which side you last fed on. Also useful is the button that lights up the timer so you can check the time in the middle of the night without turning on the lights.

2) Aden and Anais Muslin Wraps: Pooka has been swaddled in these wraps from day one. They are a little large at first, but if you fold in two of the adjoining sides in a few inches they work for even the teeniest baby (Pooka was 5 lbs 12 oz when she was born). They are nice and light too, so you don't have to worry about the baby overheating.

3) Sling: My husband would work on his computer while the baby slept in our Serena and Lily Prague Market Sling. It's organic and has padded rails, not to mention beautiful embroidery. Not super manly, but that's because I purchased it for myself, only to discover the size was too large for me. Pooka would sleep in the cradle position for hours, we even took her to a cocktail party when she was two weeks old and she slept right through it. Slings are also useful for protecting your newborn from prying eyes and germy hands. After purchasing a Zolowear Ring Sling for myself, I would carry Pooka in the tummy-to-tummy position which worked like a charm to put her out. It's so easy to carry them this way and be hands free when they are so little.

4) Medela Pump in Style Breast Pump and Hands Free Bra: Double electric, that's all I've got to say! My milk took a few days to come in, and pumping after every feeding the first week made a huge difference. I eventually had more milk than I knew what to do with, but I'll save those issues for another post. A few days into the pumping extravaganza I got a hands-free bra and it totally changed my world. It is a NECESSITY if you are going to pump regularly! I used the time with my free hands to catch up on some reading.

5) Lullabies: We started playing lullabies before Pooka was born so she would recognize them once she was out in the world. We definitely have our favorites: any of the Rockabye Baby albums that do lullaby renditions of famous bands such as U2, Bob Marley, AC/DC, etc. (available on itunes, we actually only downloaded the specific songs we wanted from each artist and made a playlist); the Putamayo Dreamland albums, we have Africa and Asia; Jewel's new album Lullaby. We play them each night starting during the final feeding.

6) White Noise Machine: Living in NYC I already slept with one of these on at night and we have continued to do so with Pooka. We use a Marpac Sleepmate.

7) Exercise Ball: We have both a rocking chair and an exercise/birth ball (ours is a Gaim, but you can get them anywhere), and have found that bouncing a fussy Pooka on the exercise ball works like a charm every time. It take a fraction of the time of a rocking chair to quickly calm her and put her to sleep. Plus its great for exercises both pre and post baby.

8) Maclaren Rocker Seat: Pooka sat in this chair from her first week, although the safety straps were much too large for her at the time. To be honest, they seemed unnecessary when she was so small and not moving around much. If she was fussy or wouldn't go back down after an early morning feeding we would put her in her "Magic Chair." Magic, you ask? It was all about flipping the switch and turning on the vibrations which usually knocked her out cold so mom and dad could get another hour or two of shuteye. We did make a promise to only use the vibrations during extreme situations so she would not get desensitized to their magic calming effect!

9) Boppy Waterproof Changing Pad Liners: So the books will advise you to get two changing pad covers. But what about the night you ruin two in less than an hour? If you are blessed with a baby like Pooka, one of her favorite pastimes was to pee on Daddy during diaper changes. At first we just used the changing mats from our diaper bags to keep the cover dry, until I found these Boppy Waterproof Changing Pad Liners. They seriously reduced the number of times we had to wrestle off a wet or poopy changing pad cover. I also have friends who put disposable changing pads down on their tables over the real cover so they can just toss them when they get dirty.

10) Eurobath Bath Seat: If space is a premium, as it is for most NYC parents, this bath seat may just do the trick. It fits in both a large sink or bath tub, but stows away more easily than a traditional baby bath tub. It is only designed for the first six months, which is fine by us as we plan to have Pooka sit up in the tub once she is comfortable and stable on her own. And in the overpriced world of baby gear, you can't beat the price at $12.00!