Currant Baby and Mommy

Playing with 9-12 month olds

2010-11-14T17:45:00.000-08:00

9-12 months
Your baby is now more social, playful, expressive, and mobile. During these three months they may start to say mom, dad, and show affection towards parents. Their motor skill start improving and some are able to walk along furniture.

GET THE RHYTHM

Begin with simple clapping patterns using various body parts. Wait to see if your baby copies your movements. If not, take her hands and repeat the pattern.
After you do it a few times, let baby try it alone. Once she gets the pattern down, try changing the tempo-slower, then faster.

*This game can help practice baby motor planning, pattern recognition, and turn taking

ROUND AND UP

Encourage your baby to copy your movements as you sing "The Wheels on the Bus."
Hold your arms out parallel to the ground. Move them in big circles and sing, "The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round, 'round and 'round, 'round and 'round....
Raise your arms above your head and move them up and down, while singing, "The people on the bus go um and down..." and so on

*This game will help build up your baby's motor movement and muscle control
GOAL!

Before starting to play, clear some space in a room and set up a goal at one end using two large toys or chairs as markers
Now the game's on: hold your baby under her arms, gently lift her, and swing her legs toward the ball for a kick
Follow the ball wherever it lands, holding baby as you run and swinging her to kick the ball again
Swerve this way and that as you head toward the ball, and help baby kick until she gets the ball into the goal. Cheer her on the points scored!

*Your baby will get a kick out of this game and it will help boost body awareness and positioning.

GROW HAPPY!

Playing with 6-9 month olds

2010-11-08T20:21:00.000-08:00

6-9 months
Now your baby is much more active and alert. During these three months your baby will take big leaps forward developmentally offering more opportunities for interaction and play.

UNLEASH THE INNER ANIMAL

Grab a stuffed animal or picture of an animal...say, a lion- and start to move it around by pouncing and roaring. Now tell your baby to do the same: "It's your turn to be the lion!"
Keep playing and really ham it up, using different animals such as a dog, cat and horse. The more expressive you are, the more fun for your baby!
Once you've played with several animals, start again. But this time, pause for a few seconds after you show him the animal so he can anticipate your sounds and actions. This will heighten the excitement for your animal act.

*This game can help you build up baby's listening and motor skills

SLAM DUNK

Start by gathering some soft items of differing weights, then put an unbreakable container on the floor next to your baby.
Now put on a show for baby! One at a time, hold an item up in the air and say in a high pitched voice, "So high!"
Then drop the object so it falls into the container and say in a low voice, "So low!"
After you do this a couple of times, encourage baby to follow your lead. Show him how to fish out the object and drop it back in again. Don't forget to cheer each success!

*This game helps practice eye-hand coordination.

HIDE AND SEEK

Start by gathering two plastic cups and two safe items that will fit under them. Hide an item under each cup.
Then have your baby lift up or knock over one of the cups. Say in a high pitched voice, "Look what you just found!" Pick up the item and describe its name, color, shape, and texture
Do the same with the other cup. Then encourage baby to cover up the objects with the cups again. As she starts to get the hang of it, she'll probably want to check over and over again that the items are still there!

*This game helps babies grasp the concept of object exist even when you can't see them. It also helps develop their language skills.

Playing with 3-6 month olds

2010-11-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

3-6 Months
Your growing baby is becoming more curious, mobile, and vocal. She smiles spontaneously, gurgles, and coos when she hears sounds. She is also starting to be able to hold small things, imitate several sounds, and turns her head in all directions.

SHAKE SHAKE!

Start by grabbing an empty container, then stick something inside like your keys or coins (do this without your baby seeing).
Next, give the container a good shake and roll it back and forth on the floor so your baby can hear how it sounds. Ask baby, "What is inside? What could it be?
Now for the big reveal: Peel the top off and take the object out. "Oh, it was the keys!"
Toss another item into the container for more "shake and take" fun.

*By keep your baby guessing while helping her practice her visual and audio tracking

CRAWLING

Lay your baby on her tummy and put a favorite colorful toy a few inches in front of her
When the toy catches her attention, press your palms against her feet in order to trigger the "walking reflex." (When baby's feet press against something solid, she instinctively stretches our her legs.)
Keep moving the toy and pushing against baby's feet until she's moved forward a couple inches. Almost there!
Don't forget to clap and cheer every time your baby moves forward. Before you know it, she'll be zooming around on her own.

*Give your baby a head start on crawling by helping her tone up at tummy time.

CAUSE AND EFFECT

When your baby touches your head, have a toy or your hand pop out from behind your back
When she pulls on your finger, stick out your tongue and make a loud noise
Fill your cheeks with air. Then take baby's finger and use it to push in your cheeks while you roll backward with her in your arms
Once you've done each routine a few times, your baby will begin to expect what may happen next.

*This game can help teach your baby cause and effect and help with her mental development.

Playing with newborn babies

2010-10-26T19:22:00.000-07:00

Time to Play!

After nine months of great expectations and wondering what your child is going to be like, the time is finally here! Now is the time for feeding, diaper changing, cuddling, and some fun tummy games with your new baby. Playing with your baby helps with with mental development and emotional health while building a strong bond with parents.

0-3 Months
Your newborn is doing much more than just sleeping, eating, and crying. He is learning and absorbing new things every day. It is important to keep it simple the first three months. Choose toys that are easy to grab and made with different materials and textures. It is easier for newborns to see high-contrast colors and patterns. Also it is important to give your baby one toy at time. Alternate toys and keep it fresh, you don't want to overstimulate your baby and allow them to get bored with their collection of toys quickly. You can always set aside some of their toys to reintroduce them at a later time. As your baby grows they will discover new aspects of their toys that they were too young to notice before! Here are some games we recommend playing with your newborn:

TICKLE, TICKLE, BEE!

Start by gently placing your baby on his back. Now form a "bee" by pinching your index finger against your thumb.
Now for the fun part: Start moving your bee above your baby in large, swooping circles while saying in a high pitched voice, "buzz, buzz, buzz...the bee is going to tickle you!"
Buzz your bee around baby's tummy, almost landing, before rising again. Your little one will love the suspense!
Now land your bee on baby's belly and give him a tickle, tickle!

*This game will help develop your baby's eye coordination.

TUMMY FUN

Start by lying on your back and placing baby on your stomach (your babies tummy resting against yours).
With your face just inches from hers, gaze into their eyes and start to sing, talk or make sounds. This will encourage your baby to lift her head so she can see where the sounds are coming from.
As your baby grows, spice up the game a bit by gently rubbing her back in a circular motion. This stimulates the muscles your baby uses to hold up her head and push up with her arms
Another idea: Place your baby on the floor on her tummy. Hold a toy in front of her at eye level. Now slowly lift the toy upward, which will encourage your baby to lift her head.

*This game helps develop your babies neck and arm strength - which helps pave the way for big milestones such as rolling over and crawling.

TOUCH

Feed your baby's curiosity by giving her lost of interesting textures to touch and feel. Just gather some fabrics from around the house (like a soft washcloth) and a few things from outdoors (leaves or flowers).
Now gently caress your baby's skin with these items. Some ideas: Tickle her toes with flower petals, brush her arms with soft grass, or rub a leaf against her hand.
You can also use cotton, silk scarves, or anything safe and appropriate for your baby skin. And of course DO NOT let the baby put any of the items in her mouth.

*This game will help to boost babies sense of touch.

Preparing your nursery for baby...

2010-10-12T14:47:00.000-07:00

Paint and wall paper is one of the fastest and easiest ways to create a mood in your child’s nursery. Light colors are calming; bright colors create energy. Sometimes a nursery acts as both a bedroom and a playroom, so it’s important to consider what colors to use. Also, if you think another child might inherit the room, steer clear from gender-specific palettes. Along with painting the walls, you have the option of using decal stickers to create a theme.

Conventional Paint

When deciding on which paint brand to use, remember to take into consideration that most commercially produced paints include significant amount of volatile organic compound, or VOCs. These chemicals are what keep the paint wet while in the can and speeds up the drying process. VOCs are bad for our health and can lead to kidney and liver damage. If exposed in smaller doses, VOCs can cause dizziness, disorientation, loss of muscle control, and irregular heartbeat. Even if you don’t plan on repainting, check what’s on your walls. Older homes may still have lead present and can pose a serious hazard to your little ones.

Natural Paint

The great thing about living in today’s world is that many companies now produce beautiful nontoxic and zero-VOC paint. Paints and other products are now available that are manufactured from trees and plant oils, resins and herbal extracts, minerals and vegetables pigments, citrus-peel thinners and beeswax. You can even nowadays find food-based aromatherapy paint, with aromas like fresh lemons or vanilla.

With all the options and choices to pick from I don’t see why not have a little with your nursery. The underlying purpose of a nursery is to provide a stimulating environment for children learning, brain development, provide opportunities for exposure to new materials, and support children in helping them become capable and balanced in their activities. The goal is to have children gain an understanding of their world, achieve enriched development and be eager learners for the rest of their lives.

Extra Precautions

Unless the paint of your choice is 100% nontoxic or zero-VOCs, you shouldn’t really paint while pregnant. If possible paint when the expecting mother is not home. Most importantly, paint several months before the baby is due. You never know, your baby may come early and nobody wants to bring a baby home to a house filled with paint fumes.

Big Ball Fun Workout with Mommy & Baby!

2010-09-27T16:44:00.001-07:00

October Play class now taking sign ups!

2010-09-15T16:21:00.000-07:00

Early Education Begins with {Play}

“The Importance of Infant & Toddler Play”

A Complimentary Class for you and your baby.

How does play enhance intellectual development?

How can parents plan for play?

Which toys are best for young children?

Play is the main way that babies and toddlers learn. This class will explain how play boosts brain development and what age appropriate activities and toys encourage curiosity, exploration and provoke wonder. Bring your baby and come play!

Instructor Biorgraphy:

Susan Shepardson, The Play Architect, owns an extraordinary children’s design firm which specializes in “play” rooms for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and beyond. Susan has over 25 years of experience working with children and a Masters degree in Child Development. She designs play spaces utilizing the latest child development theories, research, neuroscience, and “green” products. Susan incorporates the art of interior design and the science of child psychology to create play environments that are not only aesthetically pleasing and fun but most importantly, promote intelligence. She also provides consultation services to teach parents how to create learning environments for their children. She can be reached at 949.306.7557

Date: Sunday Oct 17, 2009

Time: 9:30- 10:30 AM

Place: Currant Baby & Mommy

Paseo Colorado Mall

289 E Green St

Pasadena, CA 91101

626-577-7005

(Park near Gelson’s, next to Camille’s Sidewalk Café)

Space is limited to 15 adults.

Call now to reserve your spot.

The Benefits of Cloth Diapering

2010-08-11T11:27:00.000-07:00

Anyone with young children knows that diapers are a part of your everyday routine. Yet with so many different brands and varieties, how is one able to narrow down the options and choose what is best for you and your family? Although disposable diapers are quick, easy, and overall very convenient for parents on the go…there are also many perks when it comes to deciding to use cloth or reusable diapers.

Everyday you will see a handful of commercials on TV for Pampers, Huggies, or any other major diapering company. Promises of feeling dryer longer as well as a comfortable fit can be convincing enough; who wouldn’t want their child to be comfortable? Cloth diapers offer a comfortable alternative that is more affordable than ever with benefits that outweigh their competitors!

Disposable diapers use chemicals to help create the illusion of a dry diaper even when it is wet. Your baby may not become uncomfortable when seated in a soiled diaper, but they will also be more likely to stay in that dirty diaper longer. If they don’t feel wet or uncomfortable then they are less likely to notify you that it is time for a changing. According to the Earth Easy website, “Diaper rash also increases with disposable diaper use due to allergies to chemicals, poor air flow and longer time spent in wet diapers which feel dry when wet.” Cloth Diapers will feel wet immediately notifying mom and dad that it’s time for a change. The less time baby sits in a soiled diaper, the less likely they are to incur rashes.

Since cloth diapered babies can tell when they are wet and uncomfortable, they become more aware of when they need to go to the restroom. At an earlier age they are able to make the connection between ‘being wet and uncomfortable in cloth diapers and needing to use the bathroom instead.’ This can help make the potty training process easier and less of a shock for some children, as well as has the ability to speed up the process.

It 's estimated that 10,000 tons of disposable diapers are tossed into landfills each day. They can take up to 500 years to decompose! The manufacture of disposables uses over 1 million metric tons of wood pulp and 75,000 metric tons of plastic each year. Disposables are the diaper of choice for over 80% of North American parents.

Eartheasy.com

Short term disposable diapers appear to be less expensive, especially when purchased in bulk. In case packs, you can get some brands of disposable diapers for only .19 cents each! During the diapering life of each of your children you can change up to 13,000 diapers! That will end up costing you nearly $2,470 in disposable diapers just for one child! Multiply that by how many kids you would like to have and you’ve got yourself a small fortune spent on disposable diapers alone.

Cloth diapers come in a variety of brands and styles that enable you to choose what will work best for your family. There are even cloth diapering services that will launder the soiled cloths for you, but this will end up costing about the same as using disposable diapers. If you want to be on the cost effective side, you can purchase “All-in-one” diapers that you only have to buy once and require no additional purchases of liners or various sizes. Although you may end up spending anywhere from $300-$500 on cloth diapers depending on the brand, you will only have to spend it one time no matter how many children you have!

Currant Baby likes Bum Genius All in One diapers…they are one size fits all adjustable diapers so all you need is the one size and you are set for your babies diapering life! We have had customers that purchase up to 20 diapers so that they only have to launder them every other day, and also customers who purchase less and don’t mind doing laundry every day. (With young children in the house, you most likely will have a load in the wash everyday anyways!) We also like to recommend that between washes you can pre-soak soiled cloths in a bucket of vinegar water. If you want to save change at the Laundromat, air dry cloth diapers out in the sun. The sun will naturally kill any bacteria or yeast left on the cloths.

Cloth diapers also make great baby registry items because some friends or family could spend less by just purchasing one or two! Then there will always be case packs to purchase for those very generous relatives.

Happy diapering!

Sources:

Earth Easy

Baby Center

Parents.com

LA Parent Magazine Best of 2010!

2010-08-04T12:55:00.001-07:00

It's all because of you guys! Thanks for all your support and love for the store...we couldn't have done it without you!

Back by popular demand!

2010-07-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

Beth Moser Complimentary Photo Sittings extended!

2010-06-07T15:04:00.000-07:00

By popular demand, we have added an additional day to our complimentary photo sittings with Beth Moser Photography! Stop by the store to reserve your sport today!

Stop by Currant to take advantage of these special offers!

2010-06-03T20:08:00.000-07:00

Other mom owned stores, sites, and blogs

2010-05-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

Enjoy reading mom blogs and shopping at mom stores? Visit 5minutesformom.com to read all the latest in mommy blogs and products out there!

Cleaning and Caring for Bottles

2010-05-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

After you first buy your bottles, it is recommended that you submerge your bottles, nipples and rings in a pot of boiling water for five minutes to allow the germs to be killed and the bottles be sanitized. Allow them to dry before use. Unless your water is well water, you only need to boil your bottles once - before you use them the first time.
When caring for your bottles on a daily basis, you can wash the bottles and all their pieces in hot, soapy water. Or, if you want, you can place the bottles on the top rack of the dishwasher.
This picture shows bottles being dried on Boon's Grass. This grass allows for air to flow though the bottles while they're drying so they can dry quicker.

Beating the Summer Heat!

2010-05-18T15:54:00.000-07:00

Summer is full of exciting adventures and milestones for children such as their first visit to the beach, learning to swim at the local pool, and making friends at the mall fountain! However some of these events can be overshadowed by the excessive heat that keeps most of us locked in doors with the air conditioning running full blast! Be ahead of your game this summer with some sun and heat protection that will make battling the summer rays no sweat!

SUNSCREEN

The number one summer essential is sunscreen. You want to choose one that is Paraben free, but is also made of natural ingredients that will be suitable for everyday use. Many sunscreens are not suitable for everyday use because they have titanium dioxide and zinc oxide which are only best for occasional use. For more details on choosing a sunscreen, read this article….

IN THE CAR

It is always best to get a sunshade for your rear windows even if they are tinted, this will help to reduce the light that enters the car and can warm car seats and small metal buckles that children can get burnt on. Additionally, for infant seats we recommend the Uppababy Bubble which is an additional sun shade the covers the infant car seat. This is also ideal for when the seat is attached to the stroller, the mesh helps to eliminate light as well as pollen and dander in the air! (It’s also great for keeping invasive strangers from attempting to touch your baby!) For toddler car seats, the Car Seat Sunshade reflects light and heat from any car seat or booster seat that’s left in the car. This will help reduce the risk of children being burnt by overheated metal on seat buckles.

ON THE STROLLER

If you stroller does not provide sufficient sun protection, you might want to consider adding on a canopy extension. The Compact and Classic Sunshades attach to any stroller, including umbrella strollers, and are an easy way to extend the sun coverage on your stroller. A drink bottle tether can be attached to your stroller to hold a stainless steel sippy cup to help keep your little one hydrated in the warm weather! Thermos even makes children’s sippy cups that are insulated to help keep water, milk, or juice cool.

BABY CARRIERS

Some carrier brands design products specific for use in hotter climates to help make baby wearing more comfortable. The Ergo Sport Carrier has lighter, more breathable fabric to help keep baby and parent cooler. Moby Wrap designed a special UV protected carrier with the Rayosan processed fabric which does not alter the breathability of the fabric but deflects any harmful UVA and UVB rays off of the fabric.

APPAREL

You can help to keep your tot cool just by choosing clothing that are breathable and allow for maximum sun protection. A sun hat is a great way to keep sun off of your child’s face and also add a little accessory to his/her outfit. Summer shoes and sandals will protect your baby’s feet from the hot summer ground but allow for maximum breathability. Quality shoes will withstand exposure to water for playful summer days at the local fountain or front yard sprinkler. Baby Legs also offers a small collection of UV protected legwarmers that will reflect summer rays.

Tips to stay cool without breaking the bank

-Visit the local fountain to play in the water and meet other local children

-Get out of the house during the mid-day heat peak and walk around the air conditioned mall

-Get a summer pass to the local swimming pool and/or sign your kids up for swimming lessons

-Purchase black out curtains to put on windows, this not only reduces the light and heat that enters your home but also blocks many outside noises!

-Open windows at night to allow for the cool breeze to cool down your home naturally. Just be sure to close them up in the morning!

-Set up a sprinkler in the front yard for kids to run in and cool down

-Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help keep your body cool

Have Baby, Will Travel!

2010-05-12T13:46:00.000-07:00

Baby Friendly Airlines, Hotels, and Tips to Surviving the Family Vacation!

As summer approaches, thoughts may being surfacing as to which of your favorite vacation beaches you should visit and if you should tell the in-laws that you’ll be passing through on the way to your destination. But before you pack your bags and start breaking out the sunscreen, you might want to consider some baby (and family) friendly options that can help make traveling with the youngsters more accommodating.

Airlines

Many airlines try to accommodate for the financial constraint of traveling with small children by offering free flights for children under 2 years old when seated in the lap of an adult, (only one child per adult.) These airlines include Southwest, United, American Airlines, Continental, and Delta…to name a few. Southwest, Midwest, and American Airlines also offer discounted seating up to 50% for children to encourage using proper safety restraints on board. Additionally, Southwest offers pre-boarding for families to ensure being seated together. Plan to arrive at the airport early to be able to take advantage of the early boarding.

Ticket prices aside, sometimes we just need a little space to change diaper! While not all airlines furnish the lavatories with a changing table, Jet Blue has one on every flight! Southwest, United, and American Airlines also have changing tables provided on only specific planes…so be sure to contact your airline to ensure that your flight will have one for your convenience.

Certain international flights provide bassinet cots upon request such as Continental and British Airways. Other airlines offer toddler and infant meals on most flights, including Continental and United Airlines. Keep in mind you will most likely have to request special meals and bassinets in advance to ensure that your flight will have those items on board for you.

Tips: Be sure to bring plenty of toys and books to keep your baby entertained. This may be a good opportunity to introduce a new toy, or re-introduce a toy that hasn’t been played with for awhile to ensure keeping babies attention longer. Airlines are also a fun time to introduce crayons and coloring book (when age appropriate). You can even pack light by choosing a coloring book that has an ongoing story line throughout the pages to read to your child later in the flight! Try nursing or bottle feeding on flight to help your child’s ears to pop and to avoid the mid-flight fussiness.

Bring a lightweight umbrella stroller or a baby carrier for transporting your baby. Carriers are extremely lightweight and compact, and are excellent ways to avoid the customs hold up when dealing with a stroller. However strollers can come in handy once you reach your destination. Safety Harnesses are also a great way to keep adventurous toddlers from wandering too far in a busy airport terminal. When traveling with a car seat, keep in mind some airlines have restrictions on brands and seat sizing so check with your airline before arriving at the airport. Additionally if you are planning on renting a car at your destination, many rental car companies have car seats available for rent as well.

Hotels

If you plan on being out on the town and not in your hotel room as much during your vacation, it may not be worth it to invest in some of the extra amenities that can be offered. However if you are staying at a resort where your hotel is the vacation, it can be beneficial to look into the available accommodations to ensure an enjoyable vacation. Some hotels even offer baby safe rooms upon request that can include outlet covers and baby bedding which can help you to rest easy knowing that there is one less thing to worry about on your trip.

Imagine a world where you didn’t have to worry about lugging around all the extra baby gear, diapers, car seats, formula and wipes….well Loews and Wyndham Hotels know just what that could be like and have a Kids Closet space full of all the extra amenities and gears that you might need on your trip. However you should always call to confirm that your specific needs are able to be met before arriving at your destination. Select Four Seasons provide baby furnishings and bath products. Westin Hotels and Resorts provide goody bags for kids under 12, and a small amenity kit for children under 2 that includes a night light, rubber ducky, wipes, and socket covers.

While there are too many hotels to list, these were among the top rated for family friendly vacations. When traveling, you can always ask your hotel concierge what amenities are available for families with young children to ensure that you are able to make the most of your stay.

Currant Baby’s Favorite Travel Gear and Accessories

Inglesina Fast Chair –Lightweight portable high chair that attaches to most tables!

Little Life Safety Harness- Keep your little adventurer safe and close in uncharted territory!

Ergo Baby Carrier- Perfect for transporting your baby or toddler through busy airports!

Moby Wrap- Ideal for carrying infants

Supergoop Wipes- Sunscreen wipes for traveling and on the go!

Baby Legs Leg Warmers- Keep those precious limbs warm in-flight without the bulk of a jacket or sweater!

Cushie Traveler- Portable potty seat for training on the go!

Backpacks- enable toddlers to carry their own in-flight entertainment!

Travel Safely!

FREE Write Your Own Birth Plan Workshop

2010-04-28T11:20:00.000-07:00

What to look for in a stroller

2010-04-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

Buying a stroller can be very overwhelming. As I've found out, there are practically endless options. You can buy an umbrella stroller, a snap and go, a travel system, or a full featured stroller. What are all of these and what is best for you? This is the question that most moms-to-be face. Let's talk about what makes a stroller higher-quality and what the different types of strollers are.
Number 1: Ease of pushing. When buying a stroller, take in mind that you will have anywhere from a 7lb to a 35 lb (or more) kid sitting in the stroller! Also, you might have a diaper bag, purse, groceries, or any other number of things in the stroller as well. Therefore, a 15 lb stroller may now weigh 55 lbs with all that extra weight added in. So, you want to look for a stroller that pushes relatively easily. You should not buy a stroller before you try it out. Try out a friends stroller or find a store that will let you play with the stroller before buying it. One thing you should try is pushing it using only one hand. Many times you may be talking on the phone or carrying something, leaving only one hand free for pushing the stroller.

Number 2: Tires. The tires can make or break a stroller. This point is closely related to point one - bigger tires are easier to push. This is simple physics, so ask someone smart if you don't understand it. Air tires provide a bit more cushion for the child. They absorb a bit more impact. The downside is that you may have to deal with flat tires on occasion. There is another air tire called a "forever air tire" and this is an air tire surrounded by foam or rubber so that you have the same benefit of an air tire, but it should never go flat. Next comes foam and rubber. Some people have preferences about one of these over another. I have read that if you live in a cold climate, the foam tires can crack. Yet, I have also heard that foam has a bit more give than rubber, giving a smoother ride.
Number 3: Basket. The basket size is very important. Some baskets are large while others are small. Some are very easy to get to and put stuff in, but others are a little harder to reach. This is a personal issue - some people don't carry a whole lot of things with them, and don't need the space the basket takes up. Yet other people love a large basket since they plan on using the stroller to go grocery shopping or to the mall, or they just want to put all the babies items in the basket.

That's enough for today. Soon, I will be highlighting a few of the more popular strollers on the market.

Pregnancy Pillow

2010-04-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

So, there are some products that every mom needs to have from the moment they find out they are pregnant. In this post, I'll highlight one of them. The first thing is a good pregnancy pillow. Getting a good night of sleep is so important! From the moment you find out you're pregnant, most likely you will be spending time getting up at night to use the bathroom. I also had trouble sleeping soundly and getting comfortable. Your body is changing and it can be painful when moving around at night. A good pregnancy pillow will give you something to curl up with and hopefully relieve some of the pain and tossing and turning that you might experience.

There are many of them on the market. Some people purchase extra big body pillows at Target. Others get something more specialized towards pregnancy such as the Boppy. I have to say I stumbled upon the most wonderful pregnancy pillow. It is a newer product and its called the Bosom Baby made by Luna Lullaby.

The pictures are a little small, but this is a wonderful pillow. It is very soft and cushion-y. It provides the right amount of support without being too stiff. It is great for cuddling with, without taking up the whole bed (like the pillow in the first picture!). It will fit between your legs to give your hips the support they need. And, it comes in cute colors! You can also use this after pregnancy to support the baby and help with breastfeeding. Any other pregnancy pillows that you guys swear by? Let me know your thoughts on them!

Ready for summer?

2010-04-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

With all the sunscreen brands and claims out there, it's hard to really narrow down which chemicals and ingredients are most effective, which are actually good and which one's you can do without. Since the FDA has yet to fully establish what is okay to print on sunscreen labels, outrageous claims by some companies can make it even more difficult to distinguish what information is even accurate. We've tried our best to simplify the information out there and hopefully give you some piece of mind when it comes to choosing a sunblock.

First you need to know that there are two main different types of sunscreen, chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin as a means of protecting against sun damage. Although some of the chemical ingredients used in this particular format of sunscreen has shown to be the most effective, some studies are beginning to show that the negative impact resulting from your body absorbing such chemicals could outweigh the benefits. Chemicals such as oxybenzone applied over large patches of skin for long durations of time can be significantly absorbed into the bloodstream, and with long term use could actually contribute to such skin disorders as melanoma.

Physical sunscreen sits on top of the skin and either absorbs or reflects the suns rays which has proven to be a safe alternate to chemical sunscreens. These products typically include either zinc or titanium dioxide which leaves the white residue you see in many sunscreens. Zinc oxide is currently the only FDA approved safe sunscreen chemical on the market for children under 6 months of age; it provides complete UVA and UVB protection as well as has anti-inflammatory properties. However be mindful that some sunscreens now include Zinc Oxide in nano-size particles which minimize the white residue left on the skin; there currently is growing concern about the toxicity in nanoparticles and how if it could be harmful to the skin. Titanium Dioxide, although effective in protecting against sun damage, has also turned up to be an ingredient to reconsider. In recent studies has shown to cause "DNA damage in human cells" and it is also speculated to be a potential carcinogen.

Keep in mind that a little sun exposure can actually be beneficial for the body to adequately produce Vitamin D, so spending 10-20 minutes a day in moderate sunlight without sunscreen can actually be a good thing. However if you plan on spending a more prolonged period of time outdoors, you might want to consider a sunscreen that is hypoallergenic and toxin free. Currant Baby recommends Supergoop the first sunscreen on the market designed by two doctors to be free of carcinogens and endocrine disrupters such as oxybenzone, proplyene glycol, octinoxate, parabens, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. This fragrance free formula is perfect for sensitive skin and also includes antioxidants A,C, & E.

This summer we hope that sunscreen will be the least of your worries, with the help of Currant Baby...know that the products we provide will always have your babies health and safety in mind.

Grow happy!