The Motherhood

Going Beyond Business as Usual This Holiday Season

November 18, 2010 by The Motherhood

Business expert and PictureItPostage spokesperson Barbara Corcoran joined TheMotherhood today to discuss ways to cut through the mail clutter during the holidays to reach current and prospective small business clients. She was joined by a number of co-hosts, social media moms and small business owners, who all shared their collective wisdom!

Thanks to PictureItPostage for sponsoring the Talk and providing this special offer – use the coupon code MOTHERHOOD to get $4 off an order of custom stamps (offer expires Jan. 31, 2011) at http://pictureitpostage.com/!! Your purchase will enter you to win a $500 prize! (See entry rules below.)

Custom stamps happen to be an excellent way to brand your mailings and catch your recipients’ attention! Read on for more great suggestions:

– Why to Send Holiday Mailers: It’s important to thank both clients, for their business throughout the year, and anyone who has worked for you. People will appreciate your effort, and it’s a good way to remind them about your business – and sell your product!

– Get Started Now! Send holiday mailings and gifts during the Thanksgiving season – the week before or after. People get fewer mailings during this time than they do around Christmas.

– Cut Through the Holiday Clutter: A lot of businesses send thank-yous and small gifts to customers during the holiday season. To ensure your mailing gets noticed and opened, use vibrant colors and personalize each handwritten message. Branding your envelope with a cute custom stamp, like the ones from PictureItPostage, is another great way to catch the eye!

– Tuck a Small Gift Into the Envelope: Items like magnets, pens, calendars or other small, useful items that are tastefully branded with your logo are a great way to keep your name in front of your customers all year round.

– Snail Mail is Best: Sending an electronic card to customers may seem easier and more economical, but it is less likely to be seen and appreciated. Many such emails are deleted unopened or caught in spam filters.

– Showcase Your Product: If you are a photographer, send holiday photo cards, using your photos – and order photo postage to put on the envelope. If you design personalized stationery, use your own work when you create your holiday mailings. It is a built-in advertisement for what you do.

– Be Persistent: If your mailings don’t drum up the business you had hoped for the first, second or even third time, don’t give up! Keep trying new approaches until you find something that works for you and resonates with your customer base.

– Personalize, Personalize, Personalize: If you give nicer gifts to regular clients, be sure to get them something that acknowledges their interests. If someone likes flowers, send them bulbs directly from Holland. If someone adores their children, have a photo of them printed on a custom deck of playing cards – or give the gift of custom stamps from PictureItPostage at http://www.pictureitpostage.com !!

Another BIG thanks to PictureItPostage and our incredibly talented blogger co-hosts!!! Don’t forget to use the coupon code and order your custom postage to make your holiday business mailings pop this season!!!

– Audrey, Mom Generations
– Candy, Mommypalooza
– Clarissa, Diary of a POSHpreneur
– Dawn, My Home Sweet Home Online
– Ellen, Mompreneurs Online
– Grace, Grace Hester Designs
– Jen, Next Kid Thing
– Jodi, Mom’s Favorite Stuff
– Kate, The Shopping Mama
– Melissa, Girlymama
– Mishelle, Secret Agent Mama
– Nicole, Momtrends
– Piera, Jolly Mom
– Stacey, Mama Law

PictureItPostage Giveaway with themotherhood.com
OFFICIAL RULES
1. PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia™ is conducting a $500 prize giveaway. All PictureItPostage customers who enter code “MOTHERHOOD” upon checkout for purchases made on PictureItPostage.com from November 17, 2010 through December 15, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time will be entered to win one (1) $500 cash prize giveaway.
2. One (1) winner will be selected at random on December 20, 2010 by PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia, or DYMO Endicia’s designee. Odds of winning will be determined by the total number of eligible entries received. Winner need not be present at drawing to win. Winner will be notified by phone or mail no later than December 31, 2010. Entry into contest constitutes entrant’s permission for Endicia to contact entrant for sales and marketing purposes.
3. The prize package consists of one (1) $500 cash prize.

4. Contest is open only to PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia customers who are legal U.S. residents 21 years of age or older except employees of DYMO Endicia, its affiliates, subsidiaries, sales representatives, distributors, or advertising and promotion agencies and the immediate families and household members of each of the above. Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited by law.
5. No prize substitutions allowed except that DYMO Endicia reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if an advertised prize becomes unavailable. All taxes on prizes are winner’s responsibility.
Sponsor: PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia, a Newell Rubbermaid company, Palo Alto, CA

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62106

Creating Fun, Customized Holiday Cards and Mailings

November 17, 2010 by The Motherhood

Today in TheMotherhood, social media moms tapped their creativity, sharing a variety of easy, fun ways to make annual holiday mailings to friends and family a little more special this year.

A big thanks to PictureItPostage for sponsoring the Talk – use the coupon code MOTHERHOOD to get $4 off an order of custom stamps (before Jan. 31, 2011) at http://pictureitpostage.com/!! Your purchase will enter you to win a $500 prize! (See entry rules below.)

Read on for some more great ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

– Get Motivated: Host a homemade brunch or other get-together with friends, and commit to making and addressing all of your cards by the end of the morning.

– Use Holiday-Themed Rubber Stamps: This is a quick method for creating homemade cards. Rubber stamps make it easy to do a bunch of cards quickly, and you can coordinate the ink colors to match any paper.

– Empty Your Button Drawer: Use buttons to create an easy design, like a triangle Christmas tree in green and red. Just glue them on cardstock, add a message and send!

– Take a Family Photo: Getting the entire family together for a holiday photo can be a challenge, but it’s worth it! Your friends and family will love to see you and the kids. Can’t decide which photo to use for the card? Use one to create custom postage, and another for the card, so you can share both photos.

– DIY Photo Cards: Take your own photo, scan the Web for free print offers (such as Winkflash and Kodak), then buy blank cards and envelopes at Michael’s or another inexpensive craft store. You can simply cut out shapes from holiday scrapbook paper and glue it all together!

– Repurpose Recipe Cards: Use a recipe card with a small photo of the kids baking treats printed on it, and write your favorite holiday cookie recipe on the card. Your friends will be able to use it year after year!

– Have Your Kids Sign the Cards: Your little ones’ signatures create instant personalization on store-bought or mass-printed cards … and for younger kids, it’s a great way to have them practice their signatures.

– Use Customized Address Labels and Stamps: The holidays don’t have to be limited to the inside of the envelope! Personalized holiday address labels and stamps add an extra-special touch to your mailings. See below for some fabulous examples of PictureItPostage stamps our bloggers made themselves!

– Give the Gift of Postage: Customized stamps (made through PictureItPostage.com), using a photo of your kids, would also make a great gift for grandparents (who tend to not “want anything” or already have everything). They are fun and practical.

– Send a Letter with Your Card: One great way to keep far-away friends and family updated on your life is to include a brief “newsletter” about your doings during the year in your holiday card.

– Make Ornaments to Use as Cards: You can find bare wood ornaments at craft stores like Michael’s – they’re just flat wooden cutouts in different holiday shapes. Add a picture on one side and a greeting message on the other, and send it as a card and gift all in one.

– Get Your Kids Involved: Make holiday cards an art project for your kids. For example, a white handprint can become Santa’s beard (just add construction paper cut-outs for the hat, eyes, etc). You could also use a child’s thumbprints, in brown paint, to make Santa’s reindeer. Draw reindeer faces on them, and you have a cute, meaningful card.

– Recycle the Cards You Receive: Reuse the holiday cards you get in the mail for other crafts, like making a holiday card wreath or hole-punching one corner of a card, putting ribbon through it and hanging it on your tree.

GREAT LINKS!!

PictureItPostage, to create customized postage – even your envelopes can get into the holiday spirit! http://pictureitpostage.com/

How-to video for making easy, handmade holiday cards:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXEp2e3jGHE&feature=related

Martha Stewart, the holiday craft guru! Here’s an example: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/stamped-holiday-cards

Kaboose: http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/christmas/christmas-cards.html

Family Fun: http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-cards/

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com

On Etsy, check out TheMotherhood member Grace Hester’s designs! http://www.etsy.com/shop/gracehesterdesigns?section_id=6101242

And TheMotherhood member Joy Charde’s, as well!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60493829/printable-and-customizable-kawaii

Another thank you to PictureItPostage and our inspiring blogger co-hosts!!! Don’t forget to use the coupon code and order your custom postage to spice up your holiday mailings this year!!!

– Ellen, Confessions of an Overworked Mom

– Tesa, 2 Wired 2 Tired

– Amy, The Finer Things in Life

– Shannon, Potamus Prefers

– Kim, Crafty Mama of 4

– Aracely, Daytripping Mom

– Julie, The Other Boufs

– Monica, 3 Crazy Monkeys

– Suzanne, Mom Confessionals

– Jo-Lynne, Musings of a Housewife

– Amy, Selfish Mom

– Jessica, The Unemployed Mom

– Kim, Savor the Days

– Melanie, Coupon Goddess

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62105

Family Dinner: Talking with Laurie David About Great Ways to Connect with Your Kids One Meal at a Time

November 15, 2010 by The Motherhood

The Motherhood cooked up a delicious conversation about evening meals with Laurie David, author of “Family Dinner: Great Ways to Connect With Your Kids One Meal At a Time.” Pull up a chair and read on for ideas about the best “ingredients” to create an enjoyable meal with the whole family!

– It’s All About Connections and Conversation: When it comes to family mealtime, the people at the table are the most important ingredient. Family dinner can happen over takeout, if that is all you can do that night! It is just important to get together and connect. SLOW dinner down – everything in life is moving too fast, and dinner is everyone’s chance to reboot, recharge and reconnect.

– It Doesn’t Have to Be Rocket Science: One-pot meals are easy and tasty. There’s so little time with the kids as it is – spend it helping them with homework, reading with them and talking about their day, rather than cleaning pots and pans! Make the meal routine first, then steer towards more healthy or adventurous options – don’t psych yourself out before you get started!

– It’s Never Too Late! It’s great to start the family dinner routine early, but it’s never too late to schedule family dinners! Regardless of your kids’ ages, they will enjoy family dinner.

– Get the Kids Involved: Often, the more kids get involved with the cooking, the better the discussion around the dinner table. Get them cooking and they’ll get eating. Encouragement is key, and finding the right resources for where each person is at in the kitchen is vital. We don’t all work the same way when it comes to meal preparation.

– Share Clean-up Duty: Make sure everyone helps with clean-up so it doesn’t all fall on one person’s shoulders. Try rotating jobs to give everyone a chance to improve at doing everything!

– Set a Good Example: Dinner is a chance to talk about your day together, the good and the bad, but it’s also a great opportunity for you to model good table behavior to your kids and expose your kids to new foods.

– Keep Serving New Foods: Don’t ever give up on offering new foods to children. Their palates are inexperienced, and it takes some time to adjust to new tastes and textures. It can take up to 12 times tasting something before you develop a palate for it, which is why it’s so important to cook for the family, not for the kids – and if they see you enjoying it, they will too!

– Come to the Table Prepared: Having one great question or verbal game for the table is generally all you need to get everyone talking and laughing! Aviva Goldfarb (of the Six O’clock Scramble) did a great post on PBS.org about conversation-starting games around the table: http://www.pbs.org/parents/kitchenexplorers/2010/11/02/dinnertime-can-be-all-fun-and-games/

– Be Flexible with Dinnertime: Often, older kids will have afterschool activities, but family dinner can still be a rule for you, even if it is sometimes later in the evening. It’s okay to be very flexible about the time, as long as you have a chance to sit down as a family at some point during the day.

– Dish It Up Family Style: Try putting each dish in a bowl and passing it around the table, encouraging each person to manage their own portions. It slows down dinner, makes it more interactive and gives you more time to talk and catch up with each person in the family.

– Swap Meals with a Friend: Find a friend or two and “swap” meals. As long as you’re making a meal, whip up three batches and bring two to friends. If they can do the same, it’s a great way to get multiple homemade meals and only have to cook once or twice in a week! The multiple batch option works beautifully for freezing, too, if the recipe is freezer friendly.

– Pass Down Family Lore: The dinner table is the number one place that family history gets passed on, and when we stop eating together, we stop passing on the knowledge of family history that builds resilience in children. Just one more great reason to start a tradition of family meals!

GREAT RESOURCES!!

All of Our Blogger Co-hosts’ Blogs! See links to all of them below!

The HuffPost Family Dinner Download on The Huffington Post: A new feature, where every Friday, the editors take one great news story from the week, write a short and snappy synopsis, and provide a question for the dinner table. All the stories will be age appropriate and touch on issues of honesty, values, morals, etc. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/huffpost-family-dinner-do_n_779622.html

Watch Laurie talk about Vietnamese soup on Martha Stewart: http://www.marthastewart.com/show/the-martha-stewart-show/family-dinner-with-laurie-david

And her Treasure Bowl on the TODAY Show: http://video.tvguide.com/Today/Parenting++Regain+family+time+with+dinner/6631784?autoplay=true

THANKS to the amazing Laurie David and our inspired foodie moms who co-hosted the Talk:

Amy Johnson, She Wears Many Hats

Heidi Umbhau, Spatulatta

Jennifer Leal, Savoring the Thyme

Jennifer Perillo, In Jennie’s Kitchen

Julie Mastbrook, Mommie Cooks

Kate Selner, Kate in the Kitchen

Katie Goodman, Good Life Eats

Kristen Doyle, Dine & Dish

Sarah Caron, Sarah’s Cucina Bella

Tina Butler, Mommy’s Kitchen

Vanessa Druckman, ChefDruck Musings

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62104

MOTRIN #MyUnstoppableMom Twitter Party Rules

November 13, 2010 by The Motherhood

Sweepstakes Rules:

No Purchase Necessary TO ENTER OR WIN.

The Children’s MOTRIN^®My Unstoppable Mom #MyUnstoppableMom Twitter Party starts December 3, 2015 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on December 3, 2015 at 12:30 PM Eastern Time (“Twitter Party”).

ELIGIBILITY: SWEEPSTAKES ARE Open Only to Legal Residents OF THE fifty (50) UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, who are at least 18 years of age. Void Where Prohibited. Employees (and their immediate families (parent, child, spouse or sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and those living in their same households, whether or not related) of Sponsor, The Motherhood, the participating bloggers, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies are not eligible to enter or win. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, participating blog and/or judges, which are binding and final on matters relating to this Sweepstakes. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.

To enter: To enter, follow the directions provided in the Sweepstakes Posting on the participating blog to RSVP and enter (vite.io/TheMotherhoodChats) prior to the Twitter Party. All entries must be received by the date and time stated in the Sweepstakes Posting to be eligible. Limit one (1) entry per person/email address. Entries received from any person or e-mail address in excess of the stated limitation will be void. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or by any means which subvert the entry process are void. All entries become the property of the Participating Blog and will not be acknowledged or returned.

Drawing: Potential winner(s) will be selected in random drawing(s) held during the Twitter Party from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Potential winner(s) will be notified by a tweet from @TMChatHost during the Twitter Party and may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release and, where lawful, a publicity release within seven (7) days of date of issuance. If such documents are not returned within the specified time period, prize notification is returned as undeliverable, or a potential winner is not in compliance with these rules, prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor’s discretion, an alternate winner selected. If a potential winner is at least 18 but still considered a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, prize may be awarded in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for fulfilling all requirements imposed on winners set forth herein. Winners will be required to Direct Message their mailing address to @TMChatHost in order for The Motherhood to fulfill prizes. Failure to do may result in forfeiture of prize and, at Sponsor’s discretion, prize may be awarded to an alternate winner.

Prize(s): The prize(s) and their approximate retail value(s) will be set forth during the Twitter Party. Gift card(s), if awarded as a prize, are subject to terms and conditions specified by issuer. Prizes are awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied. Prizes may not substituted, assigned or transferred or redeemed for cash, however Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value. Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided. All prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Limit one (1) prize per household. If gift cards are awarded as prizes, terms and conditions of issuer applies. Prizes will be shipped within two weeks of the end of the Twitter Party. There will be three winners selected at random during the Twitter Party. Each winner will receive a gift card in the amount of $50.

General Conditions: Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, inaccurate, stolen, misdirected, undelivered or garbled entries, Tweets, @mentions or email; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries, the announcement of the prize(s) or in any Sweepstakes-related materials. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes. Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to participants’ or to any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Sweepstakes or any website or blog or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void. Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Sweepstakes at any time and for any reason, including, but not limited to, should any portion of the Sweepstakes be, in Sponsor’s sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the Sponsor, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play, or submission of entries, and, if terminated, at its discretion, select the potential winner(s) from all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to action taken or as otherwise deemed fair and appropriate by Sponsor. Entrants, by participating, agree that Sponsor, The Motherhood, Participating Bloggers, Twitter, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (collectively, “Released Parties”) will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be held harmless by entrants against, any liability, for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind, including death, to persons, or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize or participation in this Sweepstakes. In the event of a dispute regarding entries received from multiple users having the same e-mail account, the authorized subscriber of the e-mail account at the time of entry will be deemed to be the entrant and must comply with these rules. Authorized account subscriber is the natural person who is assigned the e-mail address by the Internet Service Provider (ISP), on-line service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses.

Winners’ LIST: The names of the winners will be announced by @TMChatHost during the Twitter Party immediately following the drawing(s).

Sponsor: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division 7050 Camp Hill Road, Fort Washington, PA 19034.

This Sweepstakes is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Twitte

The Kids Grow Up

November 3, 2010 by The Motherhood

Doug Block and Marjorie Silver joined TheMotherhood to talk about Doug’s new film, The Kids Grow Up, and to share stories and advice on how parents can prepare for their kids leaving home. Here are the Top Nine:

1. Give Them Wings: Many parents hold onto their kids as long as they can, but it’s important to give them “wings” to fly, so they can function independently. Think about it as Jen does: “Mine hasn’t chosen a college yet but is leaning towards the university here, which means I will see him whenever he is hungry or needs clean clothes. Which is why I am trying to get him to go out of state.”

2. It’s Not About You, Hard As That Is: The way we raise our kids – teaching toward independence – prepares them for the separation, and often it’s the parents who are really unprepared. As Marjorie said, “You have to let go. It’s not about you, hard as that is. It’s about shepherding them into adulthood. Let them go now, and perhaps they will want to return of their own volition eventually.”

3. Let Them Make the Decisions: We need to allow our kids to show us who they are and listen as much as we can when they make choices for themselves. When it comes to college, as much as we might want them to stay close to home, we have to let them go where they think they can succeed and grow.

4. Make Sure They Know the Basics: Teach your kids the important things before letting them go – how to handle money, avoid credit card debt, drink alcohol responsibly, cook and clean for themselves, etc. It will make you feel more confident in their ability to survive without you.

5. Tips on Applying for Schools: There are lots of deadlines, so make sure you and your child are well versed in the application timeline. Sometimes early applications (submitted by Nov. 1) don’t require an application fee.

6. Transition the Rest of the Family: Before your oldest leaves for college, plan ahead and consider how the rest of your children will handle it, and who will take on the household chores your college kid is leaving behind. On the bright side, you’ll have less laundry and a smaller grocery bill!

7. The Advantages of Technology: With cheap phone calls, Skype and the many other ways technology allows us all to keep in touch, the “only” thing you will need to miss when your child goes to college is the physical closeness.

8. Doug on Creating “The Kids Grow Up”: I’d been thinking about [turning the years of video records into a film] often through the years. Just couldn’t figure out how to frame it as a story. Wasn’t enough to just see a little girl grow up on camera, even as interesting, sassy and funny as Lucy is. Wasn’t until she was entering her senior year of high school that I realized it wasn’t really about her growing up. It was about a parent dealing with the looming loss of their only child. It was about letting go. That’s when it became a film.

9. About the Movie: The movie follows Doug and Marjorie’s daughter Lucy through her senior year of high school, as they face the prospect of sending her off to college. It has opened and is having a slow rollout to different cities around the country. It will also be on HBO on Father’s Day 2011. Check www.thekidsgrowup.com for details about where the film will be screened.

A BIG thanks to Doug, Marjorie and the amazing mom bloggers who co-hosted this Talk:

Brandie, Journey of 1000 Stitches

Elizabeth, Busy Mom

Ellen, Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Heather, Domestic Extraordinaire

Jen, Redhead Ranting

Jenn, Mommy Needs Coffee

Latricia, 1 Stop Mom

Mary, Everyday Baby Steps

Deborah, Apples in Wonderland

Mimi, Woven by Words

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62096

Caring for Babies with Colic … and Their Parents

November 2, 2010 by The Motherhood

Social media moms gathered in TheMotherhood to talk about a common affliction – colic, which affects 25 percent of all babies. Dr. Jen Trachtenberg, author and pediatrician at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, answered questions about colic from the community.

There is no known cause or cure for colic, so all parents can do is wait it out – creating a stressful time for both baby and mom and dad. Moms who had “been there” pooled their advice and suggestions on how to get through the months of colic. Read on for great tips and insights!

Making Baby Feel Better

– If you are breastfeeding, you should think about your diet. Certain foods you eat can make your baby’s colic or fussing worse. Foods to watch out for include: citrus fruit, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, spicy foods, caffeine and beans.

– While method of feeding (breast or bottle) isn’t directly connected to colic, style of feeding can make a difference. “Active” feeding, where your baby controls milk flow, can help reduce colic symptoms. The Philips AVENT bottle encourages babies to feed in a way that is similar to breastfeeding as it has a naturally-shaped nipple with a skirt that flexes to prevent vacuum build-up, allows baby to control milk flow, and has an anti-colic valve that limits the air your baby ingests.

– In addition to reducing the amount of air your baby swallows during feedings, keep your baby moving. White noise can help, too, as it’s a reminder of the noises heard in the womb. Also consider trying a pacifier/soother, warm bath, gently massaging your baby’s tummy, or swaddling.

– You can try the “Happiest Baby Program” – The 5 S’s: swaddling, shushing sounds, side/stomach positions, swinging, sucking as a calming reflex.

Making Mommy (and Daddy) Feel Better

– Getting time away is VITAL!! Talking it out is also important. Having a baby with colic can really be hard on a couple too, so getting time together without the baby can really help.

– Something that helped me is taking a minute to do something that made me feel good about myself. I like a hot shower and a mini home facial. Made me feel fresh even when I was exhausted.

– If you’ve tried different tactics we’ve discussed here, and nothing has soothed your baby in the least – or anytime you are concerned for your little one’s health – take him or her to your pediatrician. It always helps to get an expert opinion and nothing is more valuable than peace of mind!

About Colic

– No one knows for sure what causes colic. Common theories include tummy spasms as the digestive system learns to process food, excess gas from air swallowed while feeding, lack of good bacteria in the gut, and allergies to cow’s milk. Although we don’t know for sure, fortunately colic is not a serious medical condition!

– Colic typically appears by the third week life and peaks around six weeks. It usually disappears when your baby is around three months of age.

– Pediatricians often use the “Rule of 3” to diagnose infant colic. Has your baby been crying for three or more hours a day, at least three times per week, for the last three weeks (from about three weeks to three months of age)? If so, he or she might have colic. Other signs of colic include crying in the late afternoon or evening (usually after feeding), high-pitched crying and screaming, a red face, clenched fists and scrunched up eyes, legs drawn to the tummy, a distended abdomen and frequent passing of gas.

– There’s really no way to predict colic – it affects just as many girls as boys, and birth order doesn’t make a difference either. There are risks factors that are correlated, though – such as moms who smoke during pregnancy and through their baby’s infancy. There doesn’t seem to be a hereditary link.

Thank you to the wonderful Dr. Jen, AVENT and our fabulous blogger co-hosts!!!

Alaina Frederick, My Heartfelt Life

Angie Knutson, My Four Monkeys

Clarissa Nassar, The POSHpreneur

Stacie Connerty, The Divine Miss Mommy

Victoria Mason, The Mummy Chronicles

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62087