Feeding Why Formula Feeding Was Right for Me

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One evening, soon after we’d made my second pregnancy public, we had some friends over for dinner. The wife of the couple, a close friend who had breastfed for the recommended year, asked if I was going to try and nurse, this time around. “I mean, why wouldn’t you at least try?” she asked, innocently.

This was a rather loaded question.

Twenty months earlier, when I’d entered the hospital to deliver my first baby, I had arrived armed with a new nursing bra, a weathered copy of The Nursing Mother’s Companion, and the full intention to embark on a mutually advantageous, successful breastfeeding journey with my son. And then I gave birth, and all hell broke loose. First came the soul-crushing postpartum depression. Then latching issues. A nerve problem in my left breast. A supply problem in my right. Seven different “lactation consultants.” A tongue tie. A frenulectomy. A switch to “exclusively pumping” rather than nursing. A formerly rock-solid marriage straining under expectations and disappointment. A milk/soy protein allergy. And a partridge in a pear tree.  

Eventually, I threw in the nursing cover, packed away the pump, and began formula feeding. I was racked with guilt, but also infuriated at the lack of support for formula feeding parents, so I did what every other middle-class, overly-analytical mom in America does when they need an outlet: I blogged about it. I had stumbled on an unfulfilled niche, so the hits came fast and furious, and before I knew it I’d become the unofficial spokesperson for “breastfeeding failures” around the world. Obviously, when I got pregnant with my daughter, the questions inevitably began. Was I going to try breastfeeding again? Depending on the person asking and the day of the week, my answers would range from “of course!” to “hell to the no.” Both were honest. I truly didn’t know what I was going to do. I’d paid lip service to breastfeeding, claiming that I would have continued had I not faced all our problems. Now that I was facing the prospect of a clean slate, though, my view was murkier. 

As much as I did believe in breastfeeding, I felt I harbored some post-traumatic stress from our experience with our son, Leo. I knew it was irrational, but when I thought of nursing, I thought of pain, depression, frustration, craziness, and most of all, failure. My word associations with “formula” were salvation, ease, freedom. Along with those positive associations came others, too. Like selfish, lazy, unfair. Cheater.

I felt tremendous guilt over these emotions. I was a bloody hypocrite. Here I was telling random women all over the world that it was okay to choose formula, that a happy mom meant a happy baby, that there was no shame in not breastfeeding…but when it came to my child, this didn’t hold water. How could I justify not even trying with my daughter?

This brought a harsh truth to light. I’d claimed my blog, Fearless Formula Feeder, stood for feeding freedom; that I would fight for every woman’s right to feed their child as they felt fit. Reading through the past 16 months of posts, though, the focus was on women in extenuating circumstances--sexual trauma survivors, women with rare illnesses and conditions, cases of extreme postpartum depression and incompatible medications. There was little attention paid to women who decided to formula feed for less dramatic reasons, reasons like having a bad taste in your mouth from a bad breastfeeding experience with your son.

I decided I’d give it the old college try, but then the nightmares started. I dreamt of a trio of Macbeth-like lactation consultant witches, trying to force my baby onto my breast. Of a zombie version of me, submitting to an endless cycle of pump, feed, pump, while Leo cried neglected tears in the corner.

These dreams were stupid, and I knew it. Still, my subconscious refused to let it be. I started feeling obsessed with the decision, and it was coloring the latter half of my pregnancy. I felt like the guy in Spike Lee’s 25th Hour, just a day away from starting his prison sentence, which of course made me feel guilty.  A few of my friends were also pregnant with their second kids, and they all kept talking excitedly about tiny newborn clothes and sleepy newborn cuddles. I wanted to puke. I wondered if I was just missing the maternal gene.

Considering the bulk of parental responsibility for a newborn consists of feeding it adequately, it made sense that I felt defunct. According to all of the medical literature, all the websites, all the popular social media, I had failed to feed my first child correctly. It didn’t matter that breastmilk made him sick; there was no way a human could be allergic to its mother’s milk--I just hadn’t cut out enough foods from my diet. It didn’t matter that he couldn’t latch; if I’d forgone the bottle of formula to treat his jaundice, he would have breastfed successfully. It didn’t matter that he was tongue-tied; a quick snip should have fixed that, so I probably hadn’t tried hard enough to counteract his aversion to my breasts. It didn’t matter that I was drowning in depression and anxiety; breastfeeding should have improved my mood, and even if it didn’t, I should have pushed through for my son’s sake. It didn’t matter that he thrived on formula; that was simply good luck, and of course, there was still time for the repercussions to develop. And most of all, it didn’t matter that I felt with every bone of my body that formula was the right choice for our family. That made me selfish, ignorant, and irresponsible. It made me a bad mom.

Plus: Why It’s OK to Not Nurse Your Babies

It had been easy to brush that all aside once my peer group stopped breastfeeding, and once Leo grew and gave me a million reasons to feel proud of my parenting. Once my daughter was born, though, it was all going to start again, and this time it would be way worse. This time there were no excuses. If I chose to formula feed from the start, it wouldn’t be for her benefit. It would be for mine.

In the end, my only decision was to make no decision. I approached the situation like a science experiment. I would let my daughter lead the way, not push her to latch if she couldn’t, and not go to any heroics. I would let whatever happened, happen organically. No expectations.

I didn’t know what I wanted. I didn’t know what I hoped. I did know one thing, though. My daughter might not end up getting as much breastmilk as her brother had, but she would get something else Leo never got, in those first months: a real mother, one who be focused on her, rather than the number of ounces dripping out of a Medela pump.

Labor went quickly, the second time around. Singing along with Florence and the Machine’s “Dog Days,” about happiness hitting like a bullet to the head, I pushed through one contraction, and laughed my daughter Lucy into this world.

5 Kid and Toddler Superfoods

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It's a fact of life: Chips, cupcakes and lots of other not-so-nutritionally-noble foods are going to find their way into your child's mouth. Heck, if left to their own devices, a lot of kids wouldn't eat anything that didn't come out of a pizza or pasta box. But that's all the more reason to make sure the meals you serve up are packed with as much good stuff as possible. Parenting went to Rachel Beller, R.D., founder of the Beller Nutritional Institute in Beverly Hills, CA, a mom of four and an expert in eating for disease prevention, to get her top picks of true bite-for-bite nutritional powerhouses. Most important, they're also foods kids might actually eat. Add them to this week's shopping list!

Eggs
Eggs offer protein, and they're one of the few foods that naturally contain vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. Eating protein at breakfast helps kids feel satisfied longer (no mid-morning hunger pangs).

Oatmeal
Research shows that kids who eat oatmeal are better able to concentrate and pay attention in school. Fiber-rich whole grains, like oatmeal, digest slowly, providing kids with a steady stream of energy.

Fruit
Any fruit is good for your child, providing essential vitamins and minerals. Fruit also has fiber, which keeps kids regular. To reap the nutritional benefits, aim to eat a variety of fruits, like berries, melon, kiwifruit and oranges

Nuts
Nuts are made up of healthy fats, which kids need for growth and development, as well as for heart health. Having a little bit of “good” fat in the morning gives your kids a burst of energy to keep them going.

Milk
Protein and calcium in dairy products provide fuel for the brain and body. Protein helps build brain tissue, while milk's calcium keeps kids' bones and teeth strong.

A walk to the shops to buy milk and bread

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Before you had kids a simple walk to the shop to stock up on essentials was a quick and easy task. After kids - well...it's a very different story....

Walk to the shop before kids

Easy peasy - you simply headed out and walked to the shop, bought your bread and milk, then walked back home. The whole expedition could be over in minutes. You may well have stopped to say 'Hello' to a neighbour on the way, been distracted by magazines and the chocolate aisle before you got to the till; you might have noticed the weather (but only in a 'nice day' or 'oh no it's going to rain - better get my washing in') kind of way, but other than that you simply walked, shopped, went home. Job done. Nothing to write home about.

Walk to the shops after kids

When you want to leave the house with small children there is no such thing as a quick getaway. For a start you need your child to put shoes on before they head out. 'I can do it myself' they cry. (Well....realistically you can't. You'll put them on the wrong feet and you can't do up the zips - but hey - if you're so adamant - go ahead - give it a try.) 

Shoes putting-on successfully negotiated and achieved then there is the all important decision of what to wear/what not to wear (coats generally come into the what not to wear category if it is cold or rainy). 'Mum - I want to wear my tutu/Spiderman costume/swimsuit...' (For god's sake we're just going to the shops to buy bread and milk....).

'Can I take my scooter?' (Oh yes - good plan - that will speed things up...Ok off we go...)

Two metres later

Your child has given up on the scooter and you have to carry it. This is a job made worse if you also have a baby in a buggy as you have to figure out a way to balance said abandoned scooter on the handlebars and then have to bend in an unnatural position to push the buggy, cursing that you cheerily agreed to taking it in the first place.

Stopping to examine leaves/bugs/cracks in the pavement/dried dog poo

The world is a wondrous place to small children. Everything they spy is exciting and new (or new-ish). And so as you walk along to the shops they stop and examine EVERY tiny thing they spot along the way. 'Oooh look Mummy there's a nice stick'. And you have to greatly admire it's beauty, hold it and then keep it as a treasure. Then they spot a teeny tiny bug and have to stop and watch it make its way along the pavement for about three hours in awe. And then they rush to run over the manhole cover and the bumpy bits (wanting their scooter again at this point to appreciate them fully)......I

t goes on and on and on. They notice every tiny detail along your way. If you have all the time in the world to make this short journey to the shops then this is a magical thing that makes you smile. If you are in a hurry and need to get the job done and back in time to get the other kids for the school pick-up then it is maddening.

Pressing the button for the green man

You've crawled your way with agonising slowness and you've finally reached the crossing. And this is where your walk reaches it's zenith. Pressing the button for the green man is right up there in the top ten thrilling things to do for toddlers. BUT if you get there and (god forbid) someone else has already pressed the button or EVEN WORSE you absentmindedly pressed the button first then all hell can break loose. Top tip - pretend the button needs to be pressed twice to work. Phew meltdown diverted!

You've made it to the corner shop

Hoorah. You've made it. Now all you need to do is pick up milk and bread and pay - right? But - oh no - first you have to get past the magazine rack and all the alluring plastic tat that are hailed as 'free gifts' (at a mere £3.50).

'Mummy - can I have that Peppa Pig magazine with the free plastic pretendy mobile phone? Pleeeease. I waaaant iiiit''.

And then your little one begs for marshmallows/chocolate buttons/some pretty colourful plastic pegs/an oven scourer (it's so shiny)/ a duster as a blanket for their 'baby plastic pig'....Where you saw the offerings of the corner shop as fairly boring basics and essentials, your little one sees them as a cornucopia of playthings and treasures.

Home again spotting things along the way

Homeward bound and this journey is harder as your little one is tired and cold in her ill-advised swimsuit, tutu and wellies outfit and you are in a bit of a rush to get home. And it has started raining. But homewards trudge you must. And so you do - promises of Frozen DVD if you get back soon.

You don't know what you'll miss till it's gone

Fast forward a few years and you and your children will walk to the shop on an errand and you will no longer stop to pick up pretty sticks and marvel at bumpy manhole covers and you'll miss it all. Your journey might be quicker but you'll no longer be focused on the pavement and its every crack (in case the bears get you) and you'll look back fondly on those many many wonderful adventures to the shops to buy bread and milk. If only life would remain that simple....

Buying Groceries for Kids

Take your kids grocery shopping to teach them about healthy food choices.. Photo by Getty Images

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Do you end up buying the same foods when you go grocery shopping?

Is your grocery cart full of healthy foods your kids won't eat orjunk food you are ashamed they do eat?

Reading Food Labels

As you learn about healthy food and avoiding junk food, you can really put those lessons to work at the grocery store when you buy groceries.

For example, comparing nutrition facts labels for Sunny D, a popular orange drink, would steer you towards buying the more nutritious SunnyD with Calcium or SunnyD Reduced Sugar.

Or you might skip this orange drink altogether and go with calcium-fortified orange juice if you had time to compare their food labels.

Unfortunately, parents are often in a rush at the grocery store and don't have time to compare food labels. Since that is the best way to find healthy foods and even more nutritious versions of the foods you are already buying, you should consider making an extra trip to the grocery store without your kids when you have extra time to simply create your family's grocery list.

Buying Groceries for Kids

In general, healthy foods on your grocery list for kids should include:

• low-fat foods, and foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol
• high-fiber foods, including whole grain foods, vegetables, and fruits
• foods that have only a moderate amount of sugar and salt
• calcium-rich foods, such as low-fat milk, to meet a child's daily calcium requirements
• iron-rich foods, including lean meats and iron-fortified whole grains, to meet a child's daily requirements for iron

• whole foods when possible, instead of processed snacks and foods that have a lot of extra sugar, fat (including trans fat),salt, and other things added to them and a lot of good things taken out, such as fiber.

And of course, you want to buy foods that your kids will actually eat.

Buying kid-friendly foods doesn't have to mean simply buying french fries and chicken nuggets, though.

Grocery List for Kids

Some of the groceries that you might look to include on your own grocery list when shopping for your kids can include:

• Reduced fat (2%), low-fat (1%), or fat-free (skim) milk - without chocolate or strawberry flavoring, which can add extra sugar and calories to your child's milk.
• Instant pudding (sugar-free and fat-free) that you make with low-fat milk
• Fat-free or low-fat yogurt
• Kraft Singles American Cheese 2% Milk Slices (25% calcium) or other fat-free or low-fat cheese - check the label to get the most calcium, though
• Iron Kids Bread - a good option if your child is going to eat white bread since it has calcium, fiber, and extra iron.
• Whole wheat bread and other whole grain products, such as whole wheat pasta, whole wheat sandwich buns and rolls, and brown rice
• Fruits and Vegetables - choose a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season and that your kids enjoy, plus some pre-cut fruit and frozen vegetables that you can serve quickly.
• 100% Fruit Juice - you can buy a limited amount of 100% fruit juice, but avoid buying soda and fruit drinks. Keep in mind that unless the drink you buy says 100% juice on the label, then it likely isn't 100% juice, which leaves out many popular brands, including most types of Capri Sun, Hi-C, Kool Aid, and Hawaiian Punch, etc.

• Minute Maid Kids+ or Tropicana Healthy Kids orange juice - in addition to vitamin C, folate, and potassium, these brands of orange juice have more calcium, vitamin A, B1, D, and E, than many other brands.
• Breakfast Cereal - avoid sweetened cereals and look for whole grain cereals with extra vitamins and minerals instead, such as Total, Multi-Grain Cheerios, Post Original Shredded Wheat Spoon Size, Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats, or Total Raisin Bran, etc.
• Peter Pan Plus Peanut Butter - has more iron and many other vitamins and minerals than other brands of peanut butter
• Hot dogs - buy low-fat varieties, such as Oscar Mayer Light Beef Franks or Hebrew National Kosher Reduced Fat Beef Franks, fat-free hot dogs, chicken or turkey hot dogs, or even vegetarian hot dogs. Keep in mind that hot dogs can be high in salt and nitrates, so you might not want to let your kids eat them on a regular basis.
• Lean meats and poultry - including the leanest beef cuts, leanest pork choices, extra lean ground beef, skinless chicken parts, and boneless skinless chicken breasts and turkey cutlets.
• Luncheon meats - lean turkey, roast beef, ham, or low-fat luncheon meats.
• Canned light tuna fish, which is thought to have less mercury than albacore ('white') tuna. And remember because of current fish and mercury warnings, you should monitor and limit your younger child's fish consumption.
• Oils and fats - canola oil, corn oil, olive oil, margarine, low-fat mayonnaise
• Fat-free or low-fat salad dressings - which can also be used as a dip for fruits and vegetables.
• Healthy Snacks - air-popped or light popcorn, Graham crackers, No-calorie drink mixes, seeds and nuts, applesauce, canned fruits in juice or water, raisins, pretzels, baked chips

Don't Buy Grocery List for Kids

Just as important as the groceries you buy may be the groceries that you leave out of your shopping cart.

In addition to fruit drinks and soda, when you are buying groceries, you should likely skip buying:

• full-fat dairy products
• bologna and salami, which have more fat than other lunch meats
• processed meats with extra salt
• shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish - which are fish that have high levels of mercury and should not be eaten by young children.
• shortening, butter, or stick margarine, which can be high in saturated fats and/or trans fats.
• foods with added sugars, which can be identified by looking on the ingredient list for sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, molasses, etc.
• snacks with a lot of calories from either sugar and/or fat, including potato chips, doughnuts, cookies, and candy.

Most importantly, don't end up buying groceries that resemble fast food at home, such as prepackaged pizza, french fries, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, corndogs, and soda, etc.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Toddler Shoes

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Shoe shopping with a toddler today can feel downright overwhelming. First off, the fashion options are endless, from rubber to leather soles, flip-flops to cowboy boots to Crocs. At the same time, many toddlers are learning to take their first steps or have just learned how to walk, so they aren't so steady on their feet. As such, finding the right style and fit carries surprisingly high stakes, since kids without the right shoes can trip, fall, end up with stitches in their lip or worse. To avoid making some fatal mistakes on your next toddler shoe-shopping spree, heed these warnings and smarter solutions below.

Mistake #1: Choosing a stiff, sturdy shoe to protect a toddler's feet.
Why it's a bad idea: "Your feet have muscles to support themselves," says Katy Bowman, biomechanist and author of Move Your DNA. Stiff shoes weaken those foot muscles. The result: More stumbling and less endurance for long walks.
Instead do this: Look for a shoe that fully protects the foot from debris or rough terrain, but that has a flexible sole. "This allows the feet muscles to do their work," says Bowman. A good test: Try folding the shoes in half to ensure that the shoes are flexible.

Mistake #2: Choosing miniature versions of grown-up styles like flip-flops, kitten heels, slide-ons, and cowboy boots.
Why it's a bad idea: "Kids shoes should be designed with kids in mind and should allow kids to do what they do best: play," says Sharon Blumberg, footwear expert atCHOOZEShoes.com. "Many kids shoes today, especially the styles that are smaller versions of the women's shoes, do not have the features and benefits that are important for gait development." For instance: Seemingly benign features like slide-ons can force toddlers to have to "grip" the shoe with their toes so it doesn't slide off. This, in turn, can cause a host of problems down the road like back pain, knee pain, and beyond.
Instead do this: Avoid hard, tough soles and definitely avoid heels, flip-flops, high boots, and even Crocs. Look for a soft, flexible shoe that is fully attached to the foot, doesn't pass up over the ankle, and doesn't elevate the heel over the toe. "Think 'minimal interference with natural gait' while providing protection." says Bowman. "Consider how shoes work for the body, not for the outfit." Adjustable straps, extra padding, flexible uppers, and soft materials are also important. If fancy shoes must be worn, limit to a few hours like at birthday parties.

Mistake #3: Buying shoes slightly big so toddlers will "grow into them."
Why it's a bad idea: "Parents often want to buy bigger shoes because they assume they will last longer," says Blumberg. But that means the shoes don't fit -- which leaves your toddler vulnerable to trips and falls. As much as you're tempted to buy a 1/2 size bigger to make them last longer, don't.
Instead do this: Have your child properly fitted at a store, or else do it yourself: Download a shoe sizing chart from Pediped or their measuring app from your iPad. Then have your kid wear a pair that fits. Period. There should be a thumb's width between the end of the shoe and the big toe. Make sure the heel isn't slipping when he walks.

Mistake #4: Keeping toddlers in slippery shoes or booties once they're walking well.
Why it's a bad idea: For a toddler's first shoes, leather or canvas soles are fine. But once they're walking well, these types of soles do more harm than good, messing with their traction and their gait, says Bowman. 
Instead do this: Once toddlers have learned to walk, use soles that provide some grip.

Mistake #5: Assuming the shoes still fit fine if the toddler doesn't complain.
Why it's a bad idea: "Parents assume that their toddlers' shoes still fit as long as they don't say it hurts," says Blumberg. "But many kids do not speak up and are walking around in shoes that are way too tight."
Instead do this: Re-check your child's size every two months to ensure they haven't had a growth spurt and need a new pair. You can also gauge how things are going by seeing if their toes are rubbing up against the front of the shoe. If so, it's time for a new pair.

What shoe-wearing rules do you follow for your toddler?

5 Tips for Choosing Safe Cleaning Products

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We all know that we need to be using safe cleaners, unfortunately not everything on the store shelf is created equally. Many products contain corrosive, toxic chemicals that might “clean” well but they certainly don’t do much to protect the health of your family. These toxic chemicals can leave awful residues, especially harmful on food surfaces, and contribute to indoor air pollution – or worse.

Choosing safe products is so important but the waters can be hard to navigate at first. Here are some tips to choosing safe products with ease.

#1 Ingredients Matter

Start at the ingredient list. If the product you pick up doesn’t tell you what’s in it – stop . right . there . Send that company a message and do not purchase their product. Transparency is huge when looking for safe products in this day and age. While there may be safe products without a disclosed ingredient list, you have no way of knowing that the product you are about to use is safe. The absence of an ingredient list is a big red flag and it’s not worth the risk.

#2 Know What To Watch Out For

Though there are more toxins out there, this is a great place to start.

• Ammonia Toxic when inhaled, swallowed or touched. I remember my Mom using this stuff as a kid and man, it is seriously strong stuff, not to mention potentially deadly when mixed with the wrong stuff.
• Antibacterials & Disinfectants These include a whole list of ingredients ranging fromBleach to Triclosan. The overuse of these types of products are blamed for antibiotic resistant bacteria, and the truth is that extreme disinfectants are rarely needed. Your DIY Household cleaners (even dish detergent), or a bit of soap and water should be most of what you’ll ever need. There are natural options, just read the labels!
• Butyl Glycol, Ethylene Glycol, Monobutyl This is common in most general cleaners and is dangerous to the nervous system, liver & kidneys.
• Chlorine Bleach Bleach is very obviously strong, corrosive and irritating to both the eyes and lungs. Avoid this stuff when at all possible – plus you’ll probably save some cash by not accidentally getting bleach spots on clothes and other household fabrics.
• Petroleum Solvents Many ingredients are derived from petroleum and are commonly found in many cleaning products as surfactants (watch for this term on ingredient lists). Other derivitives, including formaldehyde, can be found in a variety of household cleaners.
• Phosphates These are harmful to aquatic life and are often found in laundry & dish detergents.
• Phthalates Watch for fragrance on ingredient lists. These hormone disruptive are often components of complex synthetic fragrances. Avoid artificial scents at all costs. They are toxic and this goes for everything from cleaners to shampoo to candles. Choose options that say “Phthalate Free” or mention the use of essential oils for fragrance.

#3 Outsmart Labeling Tricks

Just because the label says “Natural”, “Non-Toxic” or even “Eco-Friendly” doesn’t mean that it is. It can be a good place to start when you’re looking for products, but verify it! Look at the ingredients and judge for yourself.  If you aren’t sure how your favorite cleaners measure up, look them up on the EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning where they rate products by their health safety.

#4 Have a Love/Hate Relationship With Honesty

Products tell you right on the packaging if they are dangerous. This is good news, though you may have to look at several products before finding one you are satisfied when you first start out. Bottom line – listen to them and stay away! It’s so easy. Avoid products with terms like Caution, Corrosive, Danger, Irritant, Poison, or Warning.  Instead look for products that don’t say they’re toxic and suggest simply to “drink water”. That’s a good thing to see!

#5 Know Your Options

There are lot of great products for cleaning. Know them, use them, save money and you’ll be thankful for the decrease in toxic matter in your home!

• Baking Soda is great for cleaning so many things. From hard water to pet messes and smalls, baking soda is a hero. Combine it with a little water to scrub up just about anything to a nice shine.  Add to vinegar (carefully, it gets very fizzy!) or dish soap for super strength to clean tile, pots and pans, carpet, tubs, toilets and even stains on clothing!
• Borax is a great laundry additive and can be use for household cleaning, though use great caution in a home with small children as ingestion is not safe. The powder form makes it a special concern around little ones.
• Castile Soap is a gentle soap made from vegetable oil (often olive) as opposed to animal fat or synthetics.  This stuff is great for use in general cleaning, laundry, body wash, hand wash, shampoo, and I even know people who have used it in place of toothpaste!
• Lemon Juice is great in cleaners, cutting grease and lightening stains – or hair!
• Washing Soda is similar to baking soda but stronger.  It is a great laundry additive and can often be found in the laundry isle. If you’re having trouble locating it, try Amazon or Alice.
• Vinegar is good for just about everything.  I have used both White Vinegar & Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in cleaning. I like white vinegar for mixed and general cleaning, but ACV is great for soaking toilets, showers, sinks and other tough water/mildew spots (oh and it’s also a fab hair conditioner). Mix up your own all-pupose and glass cleaners.  Add it to your laundry in the rinse cycle for a great fabric softener.  Even put it in your dishwasher’s rinse aid compartment. Vinegar is amazing!

 Do you have any favorite non-toxic cleaning tips, tricks or products? I’d love to hear them!

5 Tips On Choosing Clothes For A Baby

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Buying clothes for oneself can be hard, but buying them for another person is sometimes more difficult for most people. What we noticed though, is that it’s really difficult to buy clothes for other people. For adults it is harder because taste is so subjective, but it’s easier because you can ask, and for children and babies it’s easier because they won’t comment, but it’s hard because you might not know what to buy for the same reason, you’re not getting any feedback (until a certain age).

Any baby will likely spend their first few months in comfy romper suits, super soft baby grows and cute little vests. While you may want to dress your new born baby in the most adorable of outfits, it is always a good idea to have a few practical outfits ready at hand – that way you can easily change baby when those favorite outfits are in the wash.

At many times, people who raise babies learn  what to look for after a “trial and error” process, so our tips today will make you have more ‘trials’ and less errors.  Also, many people, both men and women often find themselves in the situation where they need to buy baby clothes as a gift (because what can you get a baby?) and have no idea what to get and what to look for.

To help pick the best baby clothes for your little one, here are a few tips on what to look out for when choosing baby clothes.

Look out for Lightweight MaterialsSoft cotton vests and romper suits are ideal for filling your baby’s wardrobe with. The lightweight materials ensure that you can easily dress baby for the changing seasons – adding extra layers such as a cardigan when it is cold or simply letting baby roam around in one layer during the warmer months. Lightweight materials are also preferable as they can be easily packed away into your changing bag for when you and baby are on the go.

Choose Accessible Clothing
Baby grows and romper suits are some of the most popular types of baby girls designer clothing that you can buy, and the reason for this is that they offer easy access for changing baby’s nappy. When buying your baby clothing, go for clothes that offer handy press studs that can be opened and closed quickly and easily when dressing and undressing baby for nappy changes.

Keep it Comfy
You will soon hear about it if your baby isn’t comfortable in their baby clothes. Choosing stretchy clothing that allows for plenty of movement as well as soft materials will easily keep your baby comfy and happy.

Are the Clothes Easy to Wash?Babies need changing regularly, so it comes to no surprise that your washing machine will always be on the go. When choosing baby clothes opt for easy to wash materials over hand wash only garments – this will save you time and effort when getting the next batch of clothing ready for your little one.

When buying from sales, also buy bigger clothesIf you want to take advantage of baby clothes sales, buy clothes that will not only be good this season, but that will come in handy a few months later, when your baby is bigger. Small children don’t need tons of clothes, but they do need them to be appropriate for season and their size.

What are your tips for choosing baby clothes?