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Product & Gear

Picky Picky About His Sippy

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It wasn’t hard to wean either of my boys off the bottle to a sippy cup. However, my younger toddler is EXTREMELY picky when it comes to his sippy cup for drinking milk! When it came time for him to give up his bottle, it took less than a week for him to realize the bottle wasn’t coming back, and I bought him his own set of sippy cups so he wouldn’t have to share or use the same ones as his big bro…

At first, before I made all his bottles disappear, I would put water in his sippy cups to get him used to a cup and then finally started putting milk in them when I took away his bottles. Well, I also discovered he had a resistance to “hard spout” cups vs. “soft spout.”

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And, since then I have realized that soft spout sippy cups are much more difficult to find in stores. They also cost more to maintain because when toddlers bite and chew on the spout, they rip and they need to be replaced! But, while he’ll drink water and juice out of the other cups, he is very particular about the container for his milk. I’ve even tried a bait and switch approach at night or when I think he’s too tired to notice….but every time he recognizes the difference and you should see the looks I get for using he “wrong” sippy cups!

So if you have a transitioning toddler, maybe this is an issue for you too?? For us, he likes the NUK Active Cups with a silicone spout or Munchkin brand sippy cups with the soft spouts. Soft spout are key here!! Now if I could just get him to start drinking out of a regular cup….

 

 

Mommy 101

Ugly Side of Air Travel with Kids

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I travel by plane with my kids, not a whole lot, but probably more than the average person. I’ve written about tips on how to travel with a baby solo, child seats on a plane, kid frequent fliers and toddler travel gear… I usually try to keep my posts positive and look at the bright side of things and offer my advice and tips on how to make your life as a Mommy (parent) easier, but when I was going through some photos from one of our last (air) travels with the kids, I realized there’s something I needed to write about…and it’s not pretty.

I’m talking about the “UGLY side of Air Travel with Kids,” and it has more to do with factors that are not in our control, than it does with anything we are doing as parents. So here goes, 3 things that are just not cool…

TSA
Transportation Security Administration aka security screening. If you think about how you packed your carry-on luggage and items, and know what you have to do to get through security it’s a pretty easy process. I can go through it with my 2 toddlers and our stroller faster than many adults who can’t figure out what “empty out all items in your pockets” means. However, since I do have toddlers and they need milk or juice or water, etc… when you travel through a checkpoint which is lacking certain security instruments, you are subject to pat downs and extra screenings in order to successfully keep all of your aforementioned items and not toss them out. When it comes to bottles and things I can open, they are able to test them easily, but if I bring a closed juice box, milk carton, etc… If I don’t open them and that checkpoint (usually smaller airports/cities) doesn’t have proper screening machinery, then you will get a full-body check.

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And the reason it’s “ugly” is because on our last trip, Daddy got the pat down – and as you can see in the photo – it’s not pretty, to have an innocent kid watch as some stranger puts their hands on Mom/Dad! My 2-year old toddler didn’t quite understand why Daddy was holding his arms out, and started to worry about what was happening..then my baby even proceeded to hold out his arms in the same manner as if he too would be subjected to a pat down as well. As a Mom, it was more than uncomfortable.. and certainly not a “picture” that evokes a happy travel memory.

Grumpy Passengers
It’s like a given that there will always be someone on a plane who dreads the thought of a loud child being anywhere within earshot when they sit down. I understand it can be unpleasant, especially if it’s a long flight, but if it’s bad for you, it’s even worse for me. The last thing I’d want is for my child to be the most vocal human on the plane. I do not enjoy a squirmy baby who isn’t happy to be all cooped up and confined in a small space, but hey, we all need to get to where we’re going, right? Please believe, as a parent I do my best to pack all the snacks, distractions and permissible toys to get us through the flight with little or no incident.

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No, I’m not going to pack a “goodie bag,” to give to all the surrounding passengers to apologize for possible “bad” behavior by my child, and really I shouldn’t be made to feel bad about it before it even happens, IF it ever even happens! Every single person on this planet was a child before they became an adult…so I’m pretty certain that every single person in this world has been or done something to annoy another person at some point in their childhood/lifetime. My child has just as much of a right to be on the plane as you do, and there’s no need for you to give me the side eye, talk under your breath or be hostile toward my family. Children are like sponges and they see your “ugly” behavior and as an “adult” you should be better able to control yourself than a small child who is learning all the wonders of the world.

Limited Resources
There are only so many diapers, bottles and toys you can pack for a plane trip. As a Mom I do my absolute best to plan ahead, and pack a little extra in my bag to make sure I have all my bases covered for the trip. Yes, that includes additional provisions for unforeseen delays and changes. However, during our trip over the holidays, what should have been a 8 hour trip turned in a 24-hour journey to get to our destination. You can bet I was stressed about running out of diapers and milk. Sure, the airline staff can bring out soda and pretzels to pacify some of the adults in the crowd, but that’s not going to work for a 1 and 2 year old. Complicating my situation is that in the airport we were at, all the airport shops had closed and chances are slim that even if they were open that they’d carry the diapers and milk I needed. Luckily we made it without incident and stretched our resources to the max…BUT, I’m not gonna lie…there’s no fear like that of running out of diapers, wipes and milk!

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Mommy 101

I’m the Mommy to a Milk Monster!!

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We go through 4 gallons of milk in my house a week…easily…and that’s on a good week. Sometimes I avoid drinking any or won’t have cereal, because I don’t want my guys to run out. However lately, it seems like I can’t keep enough milk in the fridge. My 2.5 year old drinks non-fat skim and the 1.5 year old consumes Vitamin D whole milk…our fridge is full of milk! I guess it’s kind of our fault, maybe we’ve pushed milk on them a little too much, so it’s become a crutch to pacify them or help them fall asleep. MY BAD! But, enough is enough and it’s time to cut back.

As it is, I try to only offer him maybe 4 ounces at a time, but he’ll beg for more… and since I am not the lone person who pours his cups…my version of 4 ounces may not be the same as the others! Just saying…hehe

From a health standpoint, I have healthy boys and when Isaiah hits the 2 year mark, he’ll be going to non-fat too, so it’s not a weight issue on either end, but I know doctors and “experts” warn about food allergies, iron issues, constipation and/or too many extra calories and not enough other nutritious foods. The things is…and I know “guidelines” are always being redefined…but when I was a kid I recall drinking milk all the time, and I turned out fine!

But seriously, another problem with all this milk consumption is the amount of “pee” it produces! I mean when my child can get through a night with just 1 overnight diaper and his pajamas and sheets are dry, it’s like a victory for me. Plus, it’s about that time to potty train, so how will he every be able to get through a night dry when he’s all milked up!?!?

It’s certainly time for the tough love with his leche. The good thing is that boys of my sons are on the high end, in the 90-percentile of the charts, and it’s been that way since birth. Raef isn’t just drinking milk and not eating or drinking other items…it’s just he loves his milk that much!

I don’t think it’ll be easy easy getting my milk monster to ease up on his milk consumption, but it’s time for this Mommy to put her foot down, and hopefully I can fix this before little brother gets in the habit and becomes my milk monster number 2!

Mommy 101

Bottled Up, It’s a Sippy Situation

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My younger son just turned 16 months and finally has more than 2 teeth! Just like any dutiful parent, we’ve been attempting to slowly wean him off the bottle and to a sippy cup since he turned 1. He’ll do it sometimes… I mean I have no problems getting him to drink his water out of a sippy cup or a straw cup…but when it comes to his leche (MILK) forget about it!!! I’m not sure if it’s a comfort thing like before he’s going to sleep or if he just has to have a bottle instead of a sippy cup with the “good stuff!”

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I’ve been trying to recognize any potential patterns for when he’ll take his leche in a sippy cup, but I think it’s only been when he REALLY wants it, or maybe we were out and running errands or in the car. I guess it’s his “bedtime” routine. And I’ll admit, even though I try to offer it in a sippy cup first, if he needs to go down and is going to do the whole fussy song and dance, I’ll cave and just let him have the bottle because I know it’ll calm him down.

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And, it’s not like he doesn’t have a full array of sippy cups available to him. I have not only bought him his own to differentiate from big brother’s…but I have bought him ones similar to his brother’s because you know, they’re always more interested in what’s not theirs! Ay yi yi… I have tried different styles and colors, shapes and sizes…I’ve had most success with the one with a more nipple-like spout..but still, he won’t drink leche from it consistently.

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The first time around with Baby #1, it was cold turkey, a done deal…one day we stopped giving him a bottle and he had no issue with his sippy cup. I know every baby is different and some never take a sippy cup, or always rejected the bottle… but seriously!!?? haha! In my mind I think well, if he wants it bad enough he’ll just have to accept what he’s given…but yeah like I said earlier I’ll bend and just give him what he wants – so I can have some peace and quiet! I know as they get teeth it’s really it’s really best for their gums and dental development to ditch the bottle, and since Isaiah only had 2 teeth up to this point, I wasn’t really trippin…but now it’s time to give it up!! My goal is to have him transitioned by the new year…wish me luck!

And — please if you’ve had this issue…tell me what worked (or didn’t) for you!!!

Food

All KALE to the Smoothie

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I’ve been wanting to add kale to the smoothies I make for myself and my toddler, but I kept thinking I needed to find the right recipe to make the perfect “concoction.” Well, since that wasn’t happening, the other day I just decided to whip up our smoothies the way I normally do and I’d add the kale right in! I had purchased a bag of frozen kale, which worked out really well because there’s no need to thaw or cook it….and the smoothies are chilled anyway.

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So this is my normal “recipe” for our smoothies:

2 small scoops of non-fat vanilla frozen yogurt1 banana
1/2 cup of blueberries, strawberries and mango chunks
approx. 2 cups skim milk (varies depending how thick/thin you prefer the smoothie)

Then, I just added a small amount of kale for this “experiment.” I’d say between 1/4 to 1/2 cup of frozen kale.

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Then, I blended it all up and voila! All in all it makes enough for a small cup for him and a larger glass for me. It came out fine and he enjoyed it…didn’t even notice the difference really. However, I did. I mean, you can’t really taste the kale, but for me it was a “texture” issue. For whatever reason, I just don’t like sipping up bits of “leaves” in my smoothie.

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I think this is the same issue I have with mojito drinks…don’t like the bits of mint leaves. I’ve noticed my same “texture” issue with shredded coconut too!!! Anyway, next time I’ll still add the kale either just for him or in a smaller amount, and maybe I’ll try it with spinach too! If you have a picky eater or need to get creative to serve them veggies…try this!

 

 

News

Milk Life

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MILK PROCESSOR EDUCATION PROGRAM WINGS
America’s milk companies have launched a new multi-million dollar, cross-platform campaign designed to reinforce how milk’s many nutritional benefits – including high-quality protein – can help power the potential of every day. The new “Milk Life” campaign spotlights everyday moments of accomplishment, achievement and enjoyment, bringing to life how families and individuals who include milk’s protein at breakfast make the most of every day.

With 8 grams of high-quality protein in each 8 ounce glass, milk is a natural source of protein – a nutrient most Americans are trying to increase in their diets. And, while milk is found in most homes in the United States, many Americans don’t realize its full nutritional contributions – especially its high-quality protein. The Milk Life campaign aims to change that.

“We want to make sure that milk is relatable, relevant and meaningful to Americans,” said Julia Kadison, interim Chief Executive Officer, Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP). “We love that ‘Milk Life’ has a powerful double meaning: it’s about wringing every last drop out of every single moment, and it represents a way of living where milk helps power you to be your best.”

POWERING UP WITH PROTEIN
The Milk Life campaign reinforces that milk is a delicious, easy and affordable way to get high-quality protein. While the number of beverage options multiplies each year, milk continues to stand apart as a naturally nutrient-rich beverage – including 8 grams of high-quality protein in every 8 ounces. It’s the top food source of three of the four nutrients Americans are most likely to be lacking in their diets – potassium, calcium and vitamin D.

HOW YOU CAN “MILK LIFE”
Visit www.MilkLife.com, where you can join a growing community that makes a point to Milk Life every day, share your own stories about how you Milk Life and explore recipes and tips from celebrities and top registered dietitians and videos from other moms revealing how they make milk part of their family’s life.