New York Nanny Center » toddler

Snack Happy from Happy Family Brands

Lindsay Bell — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 18:28:36 +0000

One of our favorite toddler food companies has shared some of their pointers from HAPPYFAMILY Nutrition Advisor Amy Marlow. Amy shares some common questions from parents. There’s no doubt that young children need snacks. Figuring out what to serve at snack time (and when, and how much) is the million dollar question. According to her, healthy and wholesome snacks don’t have to be a puzzle. Check out her Q & A below…

1. What are the most common challenges you hear from parents about getting children to eat healthy snacks? Parents of school-aged children often complain about the difficulty in finding healthy snacks that can compete with the junky snacks their kids see at school, on TV, at the store, and at friends’ homes. They often worry about repetition and wonder if it’s “bad” to let their child have the same snacks day after day. Many parents are also concerned that their child seems to be “hungry” for snacks all the time.

2. What are your best snacking strategies for addressing these challenges? One strategy is good role modeling. Select healthy snacks and enjoy them in front of your children. It’s also important to set boundaries with snacks. Don’t allow the child to make the selections at the grocery store, instead, give them healthy options to choose from.

To avoid over-snacking, set a snack-time just as you set meal times and then stick to it. Allowing your child to snack all the time will only ruin their appetite for meals and start a vicious cycle of filling up on snacks at the expense of healthy meals.

3. What are your best recommendations for nutritious snack options that kids will love, and why?

Great snack products / standbys to rely on. Fresh fruit of course – keep carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, jicama, and other vegetables sliced in a container in the refrigerator. This is especially good for after school/before dinner when kids are hungriest.

More go-to snacks
- Happy Squeeze smoothies (organic fruit combinations – some with vegetables, Salba® the Super chia, coconut milk or Greek yogurt – in convenient portable pouches from Happy Family)
- Whole wheat pretzels, organic cheese sticks and slices
- Unsweetened dry cereal, unsalted nuts and dried fruit – try combining all three to make a healthy trail-mix!
- Homemade whole grain pancakes which can be easily kept on-hand in the freezer

Sweet Treats. Sweets have their place, and in my opinion, many children will just get obsessed with them if over-restricted. Give your children healthy sweets such as frozen grapes and homemade fruit popsicles, as well as the occasional ice cream, all-natural or homemade cookies, fruit leathers or fruit snacks. Don’t make every evening snack a sweet, but if you have a sweet treat in the house every so often, and control the portion size, this is a healthy way to teach moderation.

Snacks that get kids involved in the prep
Two great snacks to make with your children are muffins and smoothies. There are plenty of muffin recipes made with nutrient-packed ingredients like fruit purees, oats, wheat germ, whole grain flours, and dried or fresh fruit. You can even sneak in some veggies. Let young kids mix the ingredients, and older children can measure the ingredients and pour the mixture into the muffin tins. To control portion size, use mini-muffin tins instead of full size. Don’t forget to make extra – they freeze well and are a quick snack anytime!Smoothies can easily be made at home with yogurt, fresh and frozen fruit, milk and ice. Kids can get involved by choosing the ingredients, putting them in the blender, and turning it on. Another tip is to freeze smoothies in popsicle molds for a healthy frozen dessert.

Other snacking ideas. Parents should think about “real” food as being great potential for snacks, like sandwiches, quesadillas, pancakes and pizza bagels. Turn snack-time into a mini-meal instead of relying on less nutrient dense snack foods. This is a good strategy for two types of snackers – the active tween or teen who is truly ravenous all the time and the young child who tends not to eat enough at meal times

4. Please explain why it’s so important to get children to adopt healthy eating habits early in life and the possible future implications.
Eating habits are just that – habits. The best way to set up a child for a lifetime of healthy eating is to get them into the habit early through offering healthy foods in and out of the home. Physiologically, a key time for developing healthy food preferences is before age three, as that’s when the child’s taste buds are learning to accept and enjoy flavors.

Amy Marlow is a registered dietitian (RD) and New York State certified nutritionist. In addition to her work with Happy Family, Amy helps manage a Fortune 100 company’s employee wellness program and sits on the board of the New York State Dietetic Association. Amy is the proud mother of three.

HAPPYFAMILY is a leading premium organic food brand delivering nutritious meals and snacks for babies, toddlers and beyond. The company supports Project Peanut Butter, a nonprofit that feeds starving children Africa. Since its launch Happy Family has underwritten more than 1 million meals through PPB. For more information, visit www.happyfamilybrands.com

Talking, Technology, and the Terrible Twos…

Lindsay Bell — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:03:17 +0000

Three months ago my sweet Henry wasn’t saying much. These days he has a lot to say! Henry has a sound for almost every animal, names for his toys and objects around him, and will have in depth conversations with me about some very serious topics. I have NO IDEA what he’s saying, but I can tell from his hand gestures that he thinks it’s very important! He has recently become obsessed with Thomas the Train. Admittedly, Thomas is a hard word to say, so he has shortened it to Tom. Yesterday, I tried to get him to say, “mom” so I was saying, “This is Tom and this is Mom.” Today, Henry calls Thomas–”Tom-Mom.” No luck for me, but it’s pretty awesome to see how quickly he’s picking things up. I guess that means I better start watching what I say around him!

These days Henry is extremely curious about everything I’m doing. He’s always been interested in new things, but now he wants to do what I’m doing. Sometimes it’s great, like when he wants to help me put things in the dryer, but other times it’s not so awesome. It’s not good when he wants to help me cook on the stove, or opening and shutting a hot oven. These are the times where I pull out my trusty friend, the iPad! The iPad is the most coveted and valuable thing in Mr. Henry’s life right now. He loves it so much that I have to hide it from him so he doesn’t spend all day on it! Finding the right balance with technology is key. Henry is very engaged with the ABC and 123 games, loves the Curious George App where he builds trains, rockets, and dinosaurs, and loves the animal flashcards. I’m actually impressed with how quickly he catches on to things and how well he can operate the iPad! Try taking it away….not a happy camper!

They call them the Terrible Twos, but we’ve already entered this phase way before the 2nd birthday. With Henry’s newfound independence comes some strong opinions. What Henry wants to do is not always the safest, cleanest, or healthiest thing. Telling Henry that he can’t do something makes him very unhappy. I am a believer in positive discipline, but it’s hard to always remain calm and patient when your toddler throws a tantrum. I’ve found that it’s just better for me to walk away and let him sort it out! You can’t reason with a child who doesn’t know the concept. To him it is the end of the world that I put his goldfish crackers in the wrong cup. When he calms down, he goes about eating the crackers like there was nothing wrong in the first place! I don’t try to understand it!

All these things are just part of the phase Henry is in. I love all the talking and think his little voice is the sweetest sound i’ve ever heard. I’m impressed with his knowledge of technology and how quickly he’s able to figure things out. And despite his tantrums, I still think he’s the most amazing, lovable, and funny kid I’ve ever met!

-Maureen

Allergies and Lil’ Ones

Lindsay Bell — Thu, 29 May 2014 03:40:48 +0000

Having toddlers that are just learning how to talk makes it difficult to understand when something is wrong; I ran into this very situation this weekend while in Ohio visiting family. One of my twins broke out into hives that looked like large welts.

Being in a new environment and around tons of new people sometimes is bittersweet. Baby skin is super sensitive so you never know when it might not agree with newness. I particularly worry about allergies when it comes to introducing new foods, so I have a tendency to stick with something that works.

I don’t want to shelter them per say, but I am trying to keep my sanity in check. I am half tempted to ask the doctor for a prescription for an epipen just in case…or as discussed at my routine twin mommy lunch today- just sit in your car at the ER and try peanut butter for the first time. That’s normal, right?

-Courtney Bell is a Sitter2Mom, sister of BFC President, Lindsay Bell, and mama of two beautiful twin girls.

Don’t Eat the Crayon!

Lindsay Bell — Wed, 21 May 2014 16:57:08 +0000

“Don’t eat the crayon!”

“That’s HOT! Don’t touch!”

“Henry, don’t share all your dinner with the dog!”

“Put the iPad DOWN!”

“No, you can’t have the knife!”

“Stop licking the floor”

“Please keep your diaper on!”

Welcome to Toddlerville! That pretty much sums up my recent conversations with my 19 month old. I should have seen it coming when we went to the doctor and they labeled their milestone sheet as “Mr. No.”—On the one hand the days are busier, crazier, messier, and keep you on your toes, but on the other hand seeing your kid “get it” and explore on their own and navigate their way (with supervision, of course) is pretty awesome. Having a baby is great and there are certainly amazing milestones they hit, but I wasn’t prepared for how fantastic it would be to hear your kid speaking to you (I didn’t say I could understand it all!), learn their animal sounds, sort their toys by color (rare, but it happened!), or run up to you with a huge smile and say, “Mama!” I can’t get enough of the hugs, funny faces, or dance parties.

What I notice the most about this age is Henry’s need for independence. He will walk into his bedroom, sit down on the floor, and read a book or zoom his cars. If an adult walks in there, he will get up and walk away! What a stinker! Luckily we live in a small condo in Chicago, so we can easily watch him on the monitor so he doesn’t end up climbing his bookshelf (also a favorite activity!). I love this side of him. I love watching as he tries to “read” a book aloud in his classic Henry gibberish. You can see the wheels inside his head turning and his desire to figure it all out on his own. It hit me the other day that I have a little boy, not a baby. Caring for an infant is challenging because they are completely dependent on you for almost all of their needs. Having a toddler brings its own challenges. You can’t reason with a child who isn’t old enough to get the dangers that surround them. How can I explain to Henry that a fireplace lighter is not a safe toy. Well, you can’t. I have to weather the tantrums that are sprouting up far more often lately, and try to redirect him. Somehow the blocks aren’t as fun as the knife I just used to cut his sandwich. Add in the fact that he can move and stack furniture to get on the counters! I’m half horrified and half proud that he figured that out!

Sure, I miss having a little baby to snuggle with, who naps frequently during the day, and that baby smell–I’ll get enough. However, my Henry is a pretty cool kid now and he wants to be my friend. What is better than that?

-Maureen is a Sitter2Mom, our Chicago City Coordinator, and mother of Henry!

A Weekend Away

Lindsay Bell — Wed, 07 May 2014 14:46:58 +0000

Before I was a mother, I couldn’t understand friends’ hesitation at leaving their kids for a weekend. I thought, “Can’t their other parent watch them?” “Won’t it be good to have a break?” “It’s just one weekend!” As with most parenting subjects, I was clueless. Now, I understand.

I just made my first solo trip since my daughter was born, and if it wouldn’t have required a complete packing overhaul involving a much larger suitcase and waking her up in the middle of the night to get her things, I probably would have given into my nerves at the last minute and taken her with me.

In my daughter’s 15 months on this planet, I have left her overnight with her grandparents just one time and my husband and I couldn’t get home fast enough we missed her so much. However, that time my husband and I were just a quick 50 minute drive from home. This weekend I needed to fly hours away….there would be no quick return if I missed her, if she had a meltdown or worse, an emergency. What’s more, in her first few months of life I was working so she was used to me leaving now and again. Now I’m a stay at home mom so she is with me all the time! And let’s be honest, I’m with her all the time. I was just as worried about myself as I was about her.

The truth of the matter is, I was attending a funeral…not ideal for a newly walking toddler who explores everywhere and comments on everything, we have also just made the tricky transition from two naps to one and sleep timing is critical right now so not great for a weekend of time zone changes and travel during bed times, and she is cutting THREE molars. It just seemed a better idea for her to stay at home with my husband on her turf with her schedule in tact.

Let me tell you, it turned out to be a fantastic idea for everyone! My husband and daughter had a wonderful weekend together going to parks, playrooms, and restaurants, on walks, shopping for flowers and simply hanging out at home. These three days of uninterrupted daddy/daughter time were particularly priceless because he works such long hours that he sometimes doesn’t get to see her for days in a row. The first thing he said to me upon my return is, “Our daughter is amazing.” Of course he already knew this, but being the only one with her all day long allows you to take in every magical moment. And those moments are non-stop. So for me, this weekend was about pausing.

I learned that no matter how much you love your child, a little break can be a good thing. On the plane I read magazines that had been collecting dust by my bed for months, I ate meals before they were cold, I worked out in the hotel gym, I had conversations with adults, I wore a dress with heels and makeup and I even stayed out past 7pm one night! I also talked non-stop about my daughter, showed her pictures to people, pumped every six hours and video chatted with her each day. I missed her like crazy, but I took advantage of my mommy time. It was a little recharge that every mom can use. So while I now understand the hesitation to take some time alone, I also understand the benefits. And when my little peanut woke up an hour earlier than normal on the morning I returned home, there was no waiting to see if she fell back asleep, I ran right in and hugged her….I don’t think either of us could wait a minute longer!

-Jolynn Baca Jaekel has been a fitness professional for more than a decade. Her first child, Parker, just turned a year old this January. Jolynn, her husband Rob, and Parker recently relocated from NYC to Washington D.C.

Spring: A Season of Change

Lindsay Bell — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 17:04:32 +0000

With the changing of the seasons in Chicago comes many new milestones in our lives. Henry has hit the year and a half mark and with that comes many changes to his appearance, personality, physical abilities, and his language skills. He has sprouted like the flowers in the ground and now all his pants look like he’s ready to endure a massive flood at any moment. My baby has disappeared and in his place comes an independent, opinionated, goofball toddler.

We were never worried about Henry’s mobility, as he walked at 8 1/2 months, but for the longest time he just babbled to himself and didn’t say any “real” words. I wasn’t worried, per say, but I yearned for him to say, “mama.” Well….he hasn’t mastered that word yet, unless he’s crying, but all of the sudden he is throwing out new words, animal sounds, and phrases like, “Uh-oh!” This is by far the best age because he’s very curious, responsive, and adventurous. He can stay up for longer periods of time and is engaged in music, zooming cars and airplanes around the house, and enjoys free time at the park. He loves to explore, finds himself to be very, very funny, and loves giving hugs to his family and the dog. It’s amazing how you can give him directions or show him how to do something and he immediately mimics you. With that, however, comes the urgency to watch what we say and do so we don’t have a kid running around repeating all the “grown up” words we use! We are loving life with our little boy.

The other big change in our life is….a new address! (Nope, not a baby!!!!)—As our child grew bigger, our condo started to shrink! Our super chic, urban condo in the sky has been replaced by a bigger, kid-friendly condo in a much more family friendly neighborhood. While we are beyond excited for this change, surviving a move with a toddler was a tad chaotic (that’s putting it nicely!). My husband and I spent hours packing up all our belongings only to turn around and see that Henry had unpacked two boxes while we weren’t looking! Henry just loved climbing all over the boxes marked, “Fragile–crystal wine glasses”—Luckily both sets of grandparents helped entertain him while we packed without interruption.

We already love our new neighborhood! The North Center area is full of activities for kids! Change is good!

-Maureen is a sitter2mom, our Chicago City Coordinator, and proud mother of Henry!

Easter Extravaganza

Alison Gore — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:31:31 +0000

We had a great Easter with Avery. Now two years old, this was really the first time she was able to experience some of the things I did with my family growing up. She LOVED the Easter egg hunt with her cousins.

Easter egg hunt was a hit!

While she didn’t exactly find the highest number of eggs, she thoroughly enjoyed running around the yard and looking under every tree and bush to see if she could find the next egg before her cousins. My husband is wondering about her “competitive spirit” now, which is a story for another day – I guess he hasn’t read the most recent research proving that Easter egg hunting performance has no correlation with future career success.

Really excited about all the prizes!

She loved the candy that she found in some of her eggs, but the money she got in some of them was a hit since she loves putting coins in her piggy bank. All-in-all, we had a great Easter. Maybe next year Avery’s “competitive spirit” will really come out in the Easter egg hunt.

-Mindy is a former LLD sitter and lives in Chicago with her daughter and husband.

Vacationing with a Toddler

Alison Gore — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:30:12 +0000

After a long basketball season as a wife and daughter of a Coach, we decided to take a little vacation to Florida to reconnect as a family. Avery, who just turned 2, is now old enough where we can build excitement. We told her for weeks that we were going to Florida on an airplane to go swimming. It was as simple as that in her mind. She told everyone on the plane where we were going and what we were going to do. She was also very excited to have her very own seat on the plane.

So excited to be on vacation!

Vacationing with a toddler can be challenging…always worrying about her having a meltdown, disrupting someone on the plane or at dinner, etc. Also, her schedule is completely off, so you never know what you are going to get. But she continues to amaze us. She is having an absolute blast and going with the flow! She loves taking a spin around town in the convertible. She even made up a new song….”If you’re happy and you know it, swim, swim, swim!” And she is definitely happy since she spends ALL DAY in the pool! She loves to compare her raisin fingers to ours! While vacations are much more complicated since Avery came along, they are also much more fun. The simple joy that everyday “stuff” brings her reminds me to slow down and enjoy life to it’s fullest!

-Mindy is a former LLD sitter and lives in Chicago with her daughter and husband.