From the category archives:

Month 9

Reader tip: Use frozen breastmilk for teething relief

January 10, 2013

Many years ago, someone who worked for Orajel gave us the suggestion to store the tube of teething gel in the fridge in order to provide even more relief to baby’s gums. I’m not sure we ever shared that tip in this space, and I really forgot about it until today when rookie mom Rachel [...]

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Activity #171: Have a ball

November 1, 2012

An oldie republished for stir-crazy parents and kids. This morning, Milo was throwing train tracks at me. And some legos. And some scrambled egg. And a fork. It reminded me that I need to harness this energy and find something he could throw. Beach balls, like bubbles and 2- and 4-packs of crayons, are items [...]

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What’s the deal with baby-led weaning?

October 30, 2012

If you’ve heard about baby-led weaning or baby-led solids, the premise is that by six months old, babies are ready to chew their own food and skip purees altogether. Toothless babies can handle more than mush. Anything that can be gummed into oblivion or melted by saliva is a contender. I’ve compiled my been-there-tried-that lessons [...]

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5 Super easy outings to do with your baby

October 25, 2012

Sometimes you just gotta get out of the house. We say it all the time. You might not really want to, but if its noon and you haven’t showered yet or if it’s 4pm and you’ve been rattling around your cage all day, IT IS TIME. I’m getting stir crazy on your behalf. Armed with [...]

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Recipe for totally non-toxic finger paint?

September 17, 2012

Hi there fellow parents! Do you have a recipe for totally non-toxic finger paint you’re willing to share? One that you’d use with a baby or very young clueless toddler? I went to a charming local art studio (warning: annoying music if you click!) with Sawyer and we played with some infant-friendly paints. He loved [...]

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Nice to have? Crib teething rail protector

January 12, 2012

Reader Carolyn, rookie mom to Clara, sent us an email to share her enthusiasm for a crib protector. It protects baby from crib (and crib from baby!) What Carolyn said: I was always confident leaving our 4 ½ month old daughter, Clara, in her crib to snooze, until one day she bumped her teeth on [...]

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Activity #261: Throw an Inside-Outside party

October 3, 2011

Your 40th weekly challenge is to celebrate that your baby has been on the outside longer than she was on the inside! There are many fun ways to celebrate this milestone. We’ve done cocktails and sushi (pictured) and a moms night out at the hot tubs in the past. Unless you’re currently knocked up, I [...]

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Activity #63: Buy some new jeans

August 29, 2011

Put away the maternity pants and take yourself out to Old Navy to get some interim jeans to make you feel normal. Go with a girlfriend you trust. Don’t look at the size, just find something flattering and comfortable. DO NOT THINK ABOUT OR TALK ABOUT THE WEIGHT YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE IN THE [...]

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Activity #309: Get a free 8×10 portrait

August 15, 2011

Look at my son. Sigh. This photo was taken almost six years ago at a photoshoot for my former employer who had a last minute need for a baby model. Although I am usually opposed to studio photography, there is something about it that’s easy to look at. I guess that’s why our parents took [...]

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Activity #75: Fake ‘em out

February 2, 2011

When Julian was a little guy and I needed to remove my cell phone from his little paws, a decoy cell phone was the way to avoid a mini-tantrum. Save old sunglasses, cell phones, remotes and key chains that are no longer needed in a drawer. To keep le baby busy: pull them out one [...]

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Activity #271: Make a cheap-o rattle

October 28, 2010

Faced with all his usual toys, Holden turned toward his faux rattle and rolled it and shook it for 2 days. Here’s how to make this awe-inspiring toy: Wash and remove the label from a small container Let dry (important or it all turns to mush and is fun for noone) Insert about 6 Cheerios [...]

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Erin’s Two Very Rookie Summers

July 30, 2010

Time for the fifth edition of our Very Rookie Summer series. Erin Goettsch shares two different days from her life as mom including her lessons learned the hard way taking a baby swimming. Baby Nathan taught his mama how to treat a baby at the pool; baby Anneliese benefited. Read more from Erin at her [...]

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