BEST AGE FOR CEREAL When and h ow?
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any parents believe that if you put a little cereal into Baby’s bottle, he’ll sleep better and longer. In fact, a 2010 study published in Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that feeding solid food to infants before four months of age can actually result in shorter sleep duration and more gastro discomforts. So, some parents may jump to infant cereal too soon. But, what IS the right age to start infants on cereal? “We recommend infant cereal at around six months,” says John Furby, M.D. of Eastern Hills Pediatrics. He explains that some babies may be ready to start cereal earlier, around four months‚ but it depends on their ability to handle solid food. Furby says that infants will show clear signs such as holding the head upright. If Baby isn’t gaining weight properly, Furby says that infant cereal should wait and your baby should continue to receive breast milk or formula, both of which contain more calories. Avoid putting infant cereal in a bottle. Rather, says Furby, start off with a spoon so that your little guy can get used to the sensations that come with a different feeding style. Plus, he adds, if it’s coming from a bottle, a big gulp might lead to a choking hazard. But if your tot is prone to reflux, adding rice starch to his formula may help — it goes down like a liquid, according to Furby, and will congeal in his belly. As always, talk to your pediatrician before introducing rice starch or infant cereal into your baby’s diet, as he will be able to evaluate your baby’s ability to handle it.
out & about with baby in
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unning errands can sometimes be uncomfortable for moms and babies, but there’s no doubt that babies prefer the touch of their mother as opposed to the touch of a stroller. Keena Stricker, an educator at the Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center, says that there are benefits to wearing your baby. Aside from building a stronger bond with your little one, babies who are carried will cry less, thanks to positive stress hormones released by being near Mom’s heartbeat and breath. When worn chest to chest, babies also get the benefits of “tummy time,” like developing their neck muscles. Plus, it’s easier for you to get more things done with a pair of free hands! Choosing the right carrier is also what helps with comfort. It all depends on how the carrier fits Mom as well as Baby. One of our favorites is the MOBY Wrap (mobywrap. com; $47.95 - $62.95; 8 - 35 pounds). These soft, comfortable wraps are easy to use and wrap around your own body for maximum comfort. They are 100 percent cotton, machine washable, free of harsh buckles or straps and conforms to Baby’s own personal shape. There are lots of styles to choose from including solid colors to floral designs to even MLB teams! But, as Baby grows, you may want to switch over to the new MOBY GO (mobywrap.com; $79.95; 15 - 45 pounds). It features cross-shoulder design, wide shoulder straps, seat designed for correct support, padded leg openings, removable hood, easy to reach side buckles and a unique dual foam waist belt. If you’re not certain what carrier is right for you, Stricker will host a Tummy to Tummy workshop at the Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center on April 27 to discusses the benefits of wearing your baby, as well as the different MOBY MOBY kinds of carriers available. Wrap GO “There are so many types of carriers now,” she says. “There really is something for everyone, there are so many choices to fit your lifestyle and personality.” RSVP at 513-591-2332 or theplaceforfamilies.com.
Let’s go bye-bye
safe ridin g with baby in the car Car seat options for your precious cargo are endless. Here are a few of our favorites! Journe yLite T rave l System Ev en flo | ev en flo.com | $149.00 This new multi-piece collection features an additional second carseat base for families using different cars to transport their child, stroller and infant carrier. The JourneyLite Stroller features a parent console with covered storage and integrated headphone cord access, a deep child’s tray with two cup holders, a full size basket, a canopy with peek-a-boo window and lockable front swivel wheels. The Discovery Infant Car Seat features energy absorbing foam for added comfort and safety as well as a canopy. The seat also comes with two stay-in-car bases for easy transfer from home to car and between different vehicles.
adv ocate 70- g3 c onverti ble car seat britax | britaxu sa.com | $379.99 This top-notch five-point harness car seat is equipped with a quick-adjust harness to easily fit your child, side impact cushion technology, HUGS chest pads with safecell technology and more — it’s chock full of safety features! Available in a variety of colors/ patterns. Appropriate for children 5 - 40 pounds rearfacing and 20 - 70 pounds forward facing.
olli booster seat clek | clekin c.com/olli $99.99 As your child gets older, he’ll be ready for a booster seat. This belt-positioning backless booster for ages 6 - 12 has a latch system with locks that click and secure the seat right to your car’s back seat, keeping it in place and with the belt at the right position for your child. Then, with just a little pull of the strap under the booster, it can be removed. Easiest one we’ve ever seen! Now that you’ve got the car seat, it’s important to make sure it’s properly installed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides a Child Car Seat Inspection Station Locator at nhtsa.gov. Take the time to visit a location and have yours inspected. One stop to check can save your child’s life!
cincinnatifamilymagazine.com • nkyfamily.com
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