Blog

The Boob Tube

Friday, November 20, 2009
by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

This blog entry has nothing to do with breastfeeding or which pump to buy.

Rather, "the boob tube" title offers up the opportunity to talk TV and your tot. More specifically, the chance to talk about the impact of educational videos targeted towards children under the age of 2 years.

What's TV viewing like in your house? It is always on? Never on? How do you work in your favorite shows while caring for your munchkin? Does your child show any preferences towards TV?

Did you see this recent article: shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/the-great-baby-einstein-scam-531147/?

As parents, we're bound to try anything and everything to give our kids a "leg up." Not to mention, the 20-30 minute respite TV often provides us from chasing around these little buggers.

So, when a top-notch, kid-friendly company like Disney comes out with a series like "Baby Einstein," it's no wonder we all go running to our local retail outlet in search of this opportunity for our kiddos.

The true fact is that:  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 2 years of age watch no (that would be none, nada, zip, zero, zilch) TV. 

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (www.commercialexploitation.org/) also advocates against such videos noting studies which have made connections between young TV viewing and later problems with attention span.

What if you have bought one or been gifted a "Baby Einstein" video?

You can get a full refund or a host of other options which you can learn about here: www.babyeinstein.com/parentsguide/satisfaction/upgrade_us.html.

So, back to books and singing it is for me and my munchkin...I am sure there will be plenty of days ahead for my kiddo to tune into the "boob tube."

What about you?

 

0 Comments

Swine Flu...Take 2

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

I had to come back to this topic.

Why?

News about it is everywhere. Like I've said before, I like being a little naive and living in my bubble of children's silly songs and baby babble, but even without all the media hype, I gotta admit, I'm hearing about this daily.

Last week, it was the panicked email from an expecting colleague questioning her safety in being around children in a school setting.

Then, the news came that my daughter's caregiver has it.

What?!

Really?!

Okay, I'm trying not to panic here. After all, "the greatest thing we have to fear is fear itself," right? At least that's what I'm telling myself.

As a follow-up to the recent post www.planningfamily.com/blog/everything-will-be-just-swine/, I thought it would be wise to tackle the question, how would swine flu (AKA H1N1) affect my child's development? What will happen if my child gets H1N1?

In search of more answers, I found the following link quite helpful:

www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/may09swinefluqanda.htm#9

In considering pulling out the face masks for protection (Halloween has passed), I have also learned that simple handwashing is a more effective means of protection.

And, for those new mamas who are wondering if you can still breastfeed if you contract H1N1, of course, the first answer is always talk with your doctor, but the short answer (AAP approved) is that the influenze virus is NOT transmitted by breastmilk.

Again, everything will be swine,  oh yes, really, I do mean fine.

 

 

0 Comments

9 Baby Steps to a Fit Pregnancy

Thursday, November 12, 2009
by Helen Golden

If you are currently pregnant, you're probably like I was during my pregnancies, e.g. eating everything that wasn't nailed down, going to the restroom 200-300 times per day, embracing the joys of morning sickness and enjoying the sideways glances from my husband as he observed and snickered at all of this.

During these trials and tribulations, exercise is usually the last thing on most womens' minds, but it shouldn't be. There are some very compelling reasons to stay active during pregnancy. Many studies suggest that exercise during pregnancy may help with an easier and shorter labor and birth; may foster a faster return to your pre-pregnancy weight; may mitigate the need for a c-section and will certainly help you feel better during your pregnancy.

The key is listening to your body... if you have terrible morning sickness, don't beat yourself up too much, feel free to keep the saltines on stand-bye.  If you're one of the lucky few that has managed to avoid morning sickness, this is the perfect time to either start a fitness program or continue with your normal routine.

CAUTION: If you've been sedentary prior to getting pregnant, it's a good idea to meet with your healthcare practitioner prior to getting started.  

Here are some quick pregnancy workout and fitness tips: 

• Cease exercising if you feel fatigue or pain.
• Exercise with a partner or a trainer
• Don't exercise with the goal of improving your physical shape, just focus on maintaining your condition.
• Stay away from exercises where you could fall, be hit in the abdomen or otherwise injure yourself or baby.
• Gentle toning exercises are effective and safe if kept to a moderate level.
• Immediately cease physical exercise and visit your healthcare practitioner if you experience: bloody discharge, unexplained pain in the abdomen, persistent headaches, dizziness or change in vision, fatigue or chest pains, sudden swelling of face, ankles or wrists.
• Maximum work out times should be kept to 30 minutes. Start with 15 minutes and work your way up to 30 minutes.
• Keep exercise intensity to a moderate level.
• Be sure to warm up and cool down properly

Some exercise activities that are safe for most pregnant women include: swimming, walking, stair-climbing, stationary cycling and prenatal aerobics classes. Walking and swimming can safely be done up until delivery with most pregnancies.

0 Comments

Gotta Wear Shades

Thursday, November 12, 2009
by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

My last post happened to be about identifying developmental delays. As a parent, there is always the fear that our child may not be perfect.

It's a hard (but important) topic to tackle.  Let's face it, being a parent isn't always easy.

Today, I'm looking at the kids around me and am realizing one fact about our kiddos' paths of development:

My kid is brilliant. So is yours.

I started a professional journey long ago where my work focused on learning about kiddos. Child development is not rocket science, but simply the process of watching how kids learn and grow. The books in college were interesting.  The teaching experiences were a challenge. Then real life happened.

As a parent, child development is exhilarating.

I've been around many parents (sometimes too many) who have told me how "brilliant" their kid is. Their kid loves music. Their kid can recognize colors. Their kid can count. Their kid talks. Their kid jumps. And so on and so on and so on...At the time, as an educator, it was up to me to do something with these "extraordinary" gifts. (I can feel my eyes rolling now.)

But now, yes, I've joined "the club." Every move she makes, every sound, every bite she takes (I know, this sounds a little bit like "The Police"), It IS mesmerizing.

She IS brilliant.

And so now I see it.  Brilliant kids surround me at each get together of family and friends. Each child I encounter brings something different - a different spark, and a different interest. And, I see it in their parent's eyes...they see their child's brilliance too.

It's a great thing. With so many brilliant minds, the world will be a much brighter place.

What's the bright moment of your day?

0 Comments

Baby Of Mine

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

Here she is. This is the day we brought our daughter home.

Honestly, I can't remember much. It's a blur. On top of becoming a mama, I was recovering from an emergency c-section. To top it off, I was totally overwhelmed with all those incredible, amazing, crazy feelings that overcome you when you become a parent.

As I mentioned in my first post, I totally thought I was ready for this. Holy cow. What a ride. I had no idea. Everyone has their stories. My guess is that you have (or soon will) have yours. Hold on to them. Write them down. Video and take the pictures. It all flies in the blink of an eye.

I have a few friends who are waiting for their own little one to be born. Like most of us, they are in the process of scouring the web, parenting books and magazines. Like most of us, they think they will be ready too.

Development is amazing. Within days and the first month babies grow and change so much.

When I was thinking about today's post, I was trying to recall what those first days were like.

Ah, yes. I recall what I was doing...lots of nursing (lots and lots of nursing) and little sleeping. Yep, that about sums it up.

As for my little girl, Ella, well, she was doing what most newborns are doing...lots of nursing (lots and lots of nursing) and sleeping. Alot.

In thinking back to what else she was doing and how quickly developmental changes were taking place, I came across the following typical developmental milestones for babies at one month of age. Of course, development is anything but "typical," but thought it worthy of passing on:

Movement milestones

• Makes jerky, quivering arm thrusts
• Brings hands within range of eyes and mouth
• Moves head from side to side while lying on stomach
• Head flops backward if unsupported
• Keeps hands in tight fists
• Strong reflex movements

Visual and hearing milestones

• Focuses 8 to 12 inches (20.3 to 30.4 cm) away
• Eyes wander and occasionally cross
• Prefers black-and-white or high-contrast patterns
• Prefers the human face to all other patterns
• Hearing is fully mature
• Recognizes some sounds
• May turn toward familiar sounds and voices

Smell and touch milestones

• Prefers sweet smells
• Avoids bitter or acidic smells
• Recognizes the scent of his own mother’s breastmilk
• Prefers soft to coarse sensations
• Dislikes rough or abrupt handling

For the full article listing, check out: www.aap.org

 What were your first days like when you brought your little one home?

0 Comments

Get Your Body Back!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
by Helen Golden

Your Survival Guide to Postpartum Weight Loss

The average weight gain during pregnancy is between 25 and 35 pounds. During birth, a new mom may instantly shed up to 15 pounds, leaving about 12 to 20 pounds of excess weight to deal with.

It Seems Almost Impossible to Lose All My Pregnancy Weight!

I'm living proof that having a baby does not mean you have to be soft and out of shape.  Having spent a total of 7 months on strict bed rest during my two pregnancies, I gained 50 lbs with each one! Remember, it takes time for your body to bounce back to normal so don't beat yourself up too much.  It will happen if you stick to sensible eating habits, moderate exercise and a little discipline.

Don't Diet After You Give Birth... Or Any Other Time For That Matter!

Diets never, ever last and neither does the weight loss associated with most diets!  Concentrate on healthy eating, and develop a sustainable exercise plan. Once your body has begun to recover from delivery and your period has returned to normal, start following a healthy, low fat sustainable weight-loss plan (feel free post suggestions for preferred editorial) and you will be amazed how quickly you "snap" back!

How Long Before I Do Get My Pre-Preg Body Back?

If your weight gain during pregnancy was at or around the 22-30 pound mark, you should be able to return to your pre-pregnancy weight within about 6-8 months. This may seem a bit slow, it's not realistic to lose the weight much faster and still stay healthy... especially if you are nursing!

Should I "Diet" While I'm Breast Feeding?

• No! By eating at your normal caloric rate AND exercising (once cleared by your physician) 30 minutes 3-4 days per week, you should be able to lose a comfortable 1/2 pound per week without any drop in milk quality or quantity. 

• Don't lean on junk food to make up your calorie total. Make sure your food is nutritious.

Can't I Skip The Exercise and Just Eat Less?

Again - No! The amount and quality of food you eat after giving birth has a major impact on both your weight and health. The same applies to exercise, so long as you don't go overboard (always consult your doctor before starting).

• Exercise drives postpartum weight loss

• Exercise helps to mitigate PPD (postpartum depression)

• Exercise does not interfere with your ability to breast-feed

Weight Rules for New Moms
The best, quickest and most effective way to lose weight and get back to your pre-pregnancy figure is to make it part of a well thought out program that includes diet, exercise and sustainable lifestyle changes.

Put Yourself First!
Your body has just undergone enormous stress and strain, combined with the addition of your new baby you are going to need all the energy you can muster... and then some.

Good Nutrition
The American Medical Association has stressed the importance of eating a diet that is balanced,  i.e. a diet low in fat (which doesn't mean "Fat Free"), nutrient-dense (full of vitamins, minerals and micro and macro nutrients) and high in fiber. This is a recipe for all new moms, regardless of your weight.

Start Exercising

• Develop a sustainable personal exercise plan, built around things you like/love to do!

• Recruit a partner, a friend or another new mom to exercise with you

• Set scalable goals, like 10-minutes of exercise each day, then gradually increase it to 30-minutes of exercise 5 days per week

• Get your physician's clearance PRIOR to starting an exercise program

• Pay particular attention to strengthening the pelvic/abdominal region. Mat and Reformer Pilates offer great exercises to do just that

Sustainable Weight Loss Tips

• Exercise around activities you enjoy.  Moms who set sustainable goals built around activities that they like, do much better than those who burn out in a blaze of glory

• Try a little patience.  Allow yourself a minimum of 6-8 months to snap back to your pre-pregnancy weight. Do NOT try to "diet/starve" yourself thinner, it's pretty much guaranteed to fail.

• Avoid fad diets like the plague.  Instead, choose a low-fat, balanced nutrition plan.

• Don't go it alone!  Involve your partner, join your local gym or give me a jingle if you need ideas or support!

0 Comments

16 Ways to Leave Your Muffin Top

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
by Helen Golden

0 Comments

Only 30 Minutes to Fitness

Monday, November 09, 2009
by Helen Golden

Introduction:

Hi and welcome to Planning Family's Health & Fitness blog, your best healthy lifestyle resource!  My name is Helen, and I'll be your guide to healthy solutions and fitness insights.  My blog will offer you and your family:

• A broad range of content , from nutrition, supplements, health, fitness and weight loss.
• An interactive format that allows you to participate online and connect with Planning Family Health & Fitness on many levels... think video, live Q&A, forums and more.
• Personalized perspectives and insights from myself and others that face the same challenges of families everywhere.
• Practical, usable, real-life suggestions and solutions that make sense!

You can look to Planning Family each and every week to provide today's health-conscious, busy and thoughtful family with a uniquely practical and personalized source of information, ideas and most importantly - inspiration.  Planning Family Health & Fitness approaches health & wellness with realism, passion and FUN!

The Ultimate "No Excuses" 30 Minute Workout

Sorry, but we're taking away all your excuses for not working out!  You don't need to go to the gym, it only takes 30 minutes, and it works EVERYTHING you need (arms, legs, abs, butt) to look and feel great!

We know you haven't got time to fit a dozen different kinds of workouts into your schedule - sometimes even getting out for a walk (forget about making it to the gym!) feels like a miracle. 

Because not working out is NOT an option, I've put together a REAL solution: a supersized strength workout that I have compressed into thirty minutes. Plan to stick with it three times per week, along with three days of thirty minutes of cardio of your choice.  The reward?  You'll see, and feel, amazing results in about four weeks.

You can do the ultimate workout with dumbells or the Body Bars you see in the photos, which come in various weights and sizes (see www.bodybars.com for more info). Start with a weight you can do at least 10 reps with, and work your way up as you gain strength.

While You're Working Out

Throughout your workout, remember these tips to get more results in less time:

• Keep your form and focus on the muscles you're working. You'll achieve maximum results when you're mentally into your workout as well as physically, not just going through the motions
• If you think of contracting your abs every time you exhale, you'll get a core workout throughout the movement. If you can mentally focus on your core, do a Kegel squeeze while exhaling and contracting your abs.
• Stretch the muscle that you're working after each set and rest as little as possible. This will keep the muscles and body warm while burning maximum calories.

After Your Workout

Finish with ten to twenty minutes of jumping rope, or another aerobic activity such as a combination of jumping jacks and jumping rope or going for a quick one-mile run/walk. On average, depending on body type and workout intensity, you can burn about 150 to 200 calories in only 15-Minutes!

Follow your cardio session with stretching to prevent muscles from shortening and tightening up. Be sure to replenish your body with a healthy snack or meal within sixty minutes, and drink plenty of water throughout the day!

The Ultimate 30-Minute Workout

1. Push-Ups: Three sets of as many reps as you can handle

                      

2. Half Roll Downs: Three sets of ten reps

    

3. Butt Tucks: Three sets of twenty reps

    

4. Toe Touch Crunches: Three sets of ten reps

   

5. Speed Skater Lunges: Three sets of twenty total reps, alternate the legs

   

6. Shoulder Circles: Three sets of five reps in each direction, slowly

       

7. Bicep Curls: Three sets of twenty-one reps

         

8. Tricep Kickbacks: Three sets of ten to twenty reps

    

Now, be on your way to the rest of your day

0 Comments

On Track

Monday, November 09, 2009
by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

I've been there.

Trust me, you are not alone.

As a parent, we all want our child to be perfect.

Are you wondering if your baby's development is "on track?"  Are they developing as they should? You may be watching their response to you and others, their ability to grasp and focus on various objects, and movements they make with their body.

Are you comparing notes with friends or family or observing your child in a playgroup setting?

If so, chances are you are finding that there are differences between each child's abilities and interests. Differences are okay.

The bigger question is what is "normal" (or typical) development?

Although development varies from child to child, there are milestones which children typically meet at each age.

A recent statistic noted that nearly 1 in 6 children are diagnosed with some sort of behaviorial or developmental disability.

The eariler a delay is detected, the better support you can provide to your child.

Don't know where to start?

Here's one good place...

www.medicalhomeinfo.org/screening/DevFamily.html

0 Comments

Dive In...Splash Around

Thursday, November 05, 2009
by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

The weather here in the northeast has turned gray and cold all too quickly. Although I know I could bundle up and still enjoy the great outdoors, I have to admit, I look more and more for indoor options. Pulling out the rec catalogs today to begin my search of extracurriculars to engage in this fall, it brought me back to the why and when we enroll our infants and toddlers into community programs.

My first experience truly helped me understand the meaning of "baby steps."

Like small steps, parenthood slows you down. It makes you look at things a bit differently. It makes you enjoy the small stuff again.

The first class we ever took was when "Bean" was 5 months old (I'll be the first to admit that I am a crazy mommy). The class was part "movement" (I say "movement" because at that point, "Bean" was pretty much a pumpkin) and half "swim" (again, let's use the term loosely).

I remember wading into the water with my "Bean." I was excited. She was timid about this new experience. That night, we walked back and forth in the pool, barely dangling her feet into the water. I saw other kiddos happily splashing and being submerged into the warm waters.  I kept perspective realizing that the goal wasn't for "Bean" to learn how to swim that day.

Fast forward 6 months. We entered the pool once again. I excited, she again, a bit timid. However, within minutes, the bulb was on and you could see she had remembered her first experiences. She splashed, kicked and squealed. As the class ended, out came the beach balls. These balls terrified her during those first classes. Now, she stretched her hands out towards them and kicked wildly when one came her way.

She was joyous. She had grown. It was a great reminder of the baby steps she had taken.

Have you enrolled your child into their first program?

What "steps" has your child taken as a result of a structured class/organized activity?

1 Comments