As fellow moms who are working from home and trying to balance everything, we found a few things that have made this transition a little easier. It’s extremely important that we practice social distancing to stop the spread of the Coronvirus and we hope this list of tips will be helpful to parents who are doing their best to manage this “new normal.”
Tip 1 – You Can Do This!
We all know that this isn’t business as usual but not matter how hard it might be, it’s important to keep your community, and your family healthy.
Our kid’s look up to us as a model of how they should respond to new situations which is why it’s important to show them that you (we) can do this!
Keeping calm and staying confident will help put your family at ease and make the transition a little easier on everyone. Remind yourself that this is temporary, and your kids will be just fine. You’re a parent, you can do anything!
Tip 2 – Create a Schedule
We are all creatures of habit and are used to a routine. Any sort of schedule you once knew has basically been thrown out the window the past few weeks. If you haven’t already, it’s time to start working on a schedule that works for you, your work, and your child’s continued education.
Younger children require a lot of attention throughout the day. If you are in this situation and your work allows, divide your working hours throughout the day. Get up early and work a few hours in the morning while everyone is still asleep, schedule some time in the afternoon and rotate times with your partner to help, and then take some time in the evening.
If you take the time to plan this in advance, your week will go much smoother and you, and your kids will have the structure everyone is used to.
Tip 3 – Get Outside!
It’s ok to enjoy the outdoors, as long as you practice social distancing. We all need some fresh air and a break from TV and electronics to keep us from going stir crazy! Some of our favorite ideas we received were to plan a family picnic during lunch and taking daily family walks around your neighborhood, electronics excluded! These activities can provide long-lasting memories of connecting as family.
Bazzle Baby Product Feature:
The Bazzle Baby GoBlanket is perfect for a picnic on a nice day or a walk on a chilly afternoon. This super soft blanket is just the right size to fit any stroller or carseat with integrated clips to attach it, and you will never have to worry about it becoming lost or dirty due to drops. Designed with a cotton designed front and a fuzzy fleece back to provide warmth and comfort for parents and baby.
Tip 4 –Explore New Family Bonding Activities
This is a great time to use your Pinterest board and schedule some of those fun activities you’ve always wanted to do before life got in the way. An idea we loved is cooking lessons with kids. Not only does it help you prepare meals, it develops their math skills by having them help measure ingredients.
Bazzle Baby Product Feature:
The Bazzle Baby GoBib Folding Feeding Bib is perfect for easy clean-up after a messy cooking session or meal. It folds into itself to contain all the mess in a ball and can be easily wiped, cleaned or washed. This is a time to enjoy your kids and this will make cleaning a little easier!
Tip 5 – Look Out for Your Own Well-being
This one is probably the most important! Most of us aren’t used to being home with kids every day and have the added pressure of working at home. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to schedule time alone. Plan time to read, pamper yourself or exercise. Work with your partner to make sure you both get the time you need, your well-being as a parent is paramount.
The most important thing is to keep your family healthy. We hope these tips will help you during these unusual and unprecedented circumstances – it’s impossible to be great at everything – just do what you can and remember they will be just fine! They will thank you later 😊
As a parent you never stop worrying about the health and well-being of your little one. We understand the concern you may be experiencing surrounding keeping your family safe from those nasty little germs that can make everyone very sick.
It’s hard enough to keep your kids away from potential germ hazards and it’s impossible to shield them from all of the bugs out there --- and you will drive yourself nuts trying. Luckily there are a few simple things you can do to protect baby from germs and eliminate them from spreading to others.
One of the biggest dangers to baby and to others is the spreading of germs. If your baby or any others, regardless of age, are showing any signs of illness, they should stay away from others. Make sure to ask anyone who wants to hold your baby to first wash his or her hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
During times of uncertainty around health of the surrounding community or when baby is under the weather, limit where you take your baby. A stroll outside is fine if you keep your distance from others.
Regularly washing your hands and your child’s hands is the simplest, most effective way to get rid of cold and flu germs. Wash your hands thoroughly (20 seconds of scrubbing with soap and water) and often. Babies put almost anything in their mouths so it’s important to wash pacifiers, toys and eating surfaces regularly.
If baby is sick, keep them from going to daycare where the sickness can easily spread to other children and caretakers. Contain drool that carries germs with bibs that soak up the drool and prevent it from spreading on shared surfaces.
Bazzle Baby Product Spotlight:
Drool doesn’t stand a chance with the Bazzle Baby Bandana Bib Teether for germ-free pain relief that is within arm’s reach for your little one.
If you notice obvious signs of sickness or your little one has a fever, do not take them to daycare or around others. This is imperative to containing the impact and spreading of illness to others.
It’s important to not panic, just follow the simple steps to fend off germs and help keep your baby as healthy as possible.
DAYCARE PACKING LIST:
For many parents, it seems as though you were just packing your hospital bag and waiting patiently (or impatiently) for baby to arrive. Time seems to have flown by and now it’s time to go back to work.
Returning to work and putting your baby into daycare can be an emotionally challenging time. Whether you are a new mom taking baby to daycare for the first time, or sending your fourth child, the transition is much easier when you have all of baby’s essentials ready ahead of time.
Bottles/Baby Food
The number of bottles needed depends on the age of your baby and we recommend packing at least 1 additional bottle just in case. You will need to label bottles with your child’s name and date. There are different reusable options to help you save time on labeling each week that are made to stretch and fit snug around bottles, sippy cups, and snack containers.
Bibs
I’m sure you are aware of this by now, but babies can be messy! Whether it’s a feeding bib or a bib for your teething drooler, clothes will get wet without the right bib. To cut down on outfit changes and to keep your baby dry and comfortable throughout the day, you will want to pack these each week.
Bazzlebaby Product Spotlight
Burp Cloth
Burp cloths are another feeding essential! Check to see if your daycare provider requires you to bring your own and make sure to label those too.
Bazzlebaby Product Spotlight
The Bazzlebaby Pocket Burper pulls moisture away from baby’s sensitive skin and catches drool before it runs down your back!
Sippy Cup
If your baby has started transitioning from a bottle to a sippy cup, we always recommend keeping at least 2 of these labeled and in your baby bag or cubby at daycare.
Pacifier & Favorite Blanket or Toy
What helps soothe your baby? Whether it’s a pacifier or a security blanket, you will want to make sure to pack it! It’s not just a transition for you but a transition for baby as well. Pack these items daily to help with a pleasant daycare transition.
Bazzlebaby Product Spotlight
With the Bazzlebaby PaciLoop you don't have to worry about baby dropping their pacifier or lovey! The loop at the end holds pacifiers, toys, or anything your little one can't live without, and the other end clips to bibs, onesies, and clothing collars.
Extra Clothing and Shoes
Like we said before, babies can be messy! Daycares typically ask that parents leave at least 2-3 changes of clothes and an extra pair of shoes (& don’t forget the socks!). Your baby will be sent home with any dirty clothes, so you know when their extra outfits need to be replenished.
Diapers
If the daycare does not provide diapers or if your child requires a specific brand, you should leave a pack of diapers and make sure to replenish them when notified they are running low. Make sure to label these with your child’s name.
Wipes
Just like diapers, know if you will need to provide them and make sure to keep them replenished!
Diaper Cream
Most daycares will only use this when needed but require you to provide your own since you know what’s best for baby. Clearly label diaper cream with name and expiration date and make sure the teachers know where to find it.
TIP: Make sure you are aware of the daycares policy on what is provided and what you can and cannot bring. Most daycares will have specific labeling requirements for bottles, pacifiers, and clothing so make sure to read over the new parent paperwork.
We hope this information helps with preparing for the transition into daycare. The first day will be hard, but it will get easier!
Your Friends at Bazzlebaby
Having a picky eater, you may feel as though all your toddler will eat is chicken nuggets and french fries. While sometimes this may seem to be your only option (the kid’s gotta eat!), try not to get frustrated by this common toddler behavior. Make healthy food choices available and know that, with time, your child's appetite and eating behaviors will level out. Wondering if there is anything you can do to raise a more adventurous eater? Plenty actually, starting right now.
Mommy Tip #1
Involve your toddler in the meal planning. Let your child pick out different fruits and vegetables while at the grocery store. You can put your toddlers natural curious senses to test by allowing them to touch, smell and sometimes even taste food while grocery shopping to help spark their interest. Take along a few different kid-friendly cookbooks and let your toddler pick out new recipes to try. Having their buy-in now will help later!
Change up the way you cook your toddler’s favorite foods. You might decide to prepare the food baked, roasted, sauteed or steamed. Assure them that it is the exact same food and ensure that you serve the main course alongside some of their favorite sides. Due to the different flavors and textures, it might take you up to 10-20 times before they (realize they) like it, but hang in there! Patience, mama.
Mommy Tip #3
Try making food fun! Toddlers can’t resist trying foods that are arranged in eye-catching, creative ways. Make foods look irresistible by arranging them in fun, colorful shapes kids can recognize. Kids this age also tend to enjoy any food involving a dip, so think about different sauces that you might want to try. Finger foods are also usually a hit with toddlers.
Bazzlebaby Product Spotlight
Mommy Tip #4
Come together as a family and enjoy dinner together. If your toddler has older siblings, make sure that you highlight how much their big brother or big sister enjoys their meal. Serve one meal for the whole family and resist the urge to make another, special meal if your child refuses what you've served. Try to include at least one food your child and the rest of the family likes with each meal so that you don’t encourage picky eating.
Looking for a few fun recipes that might just be a hit for your little picky eater? Check out some recipes from My Fussy Eater! They have loads of great ideas of things that you can try out with your toddler and help to break the habit of them being a picky eater! Just make sure that when your child does eat, you use our Bazzle Baby GoBib to make cleaning up after meals easy and mess-free!
The 4th of July holiday is rapidly approaching and adding your new plus one (or two) to your celebration plans - can be tricky! This holiday allows opportunity to gather together with family outdoors and enjoy the warm weather! With large crowds, scorching heat and spectacular firework displays - you will want to make sure you have a few tips to make this holiday enjoyable for your new baby!
Here are a few Bazzle Baby tips that we recommend in order to get through the holiday with a happy and safe baby:
The unfortunate thing about the summertime is that insects that bite - are typically at its peak. Not only can bug bites be bad for baby, but these bites can also pass on diseases. According to the The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you do not use insect repellent on babies that are two months or younger. If your baby is under the age of two months, Bazzle Baby recommends that you drape a bug shield net over the carrier keep some of the worst disease carriers at bay.
Travel Bibs to Keep Baby Dry
Keep baby clean with the Bazzle Baby Travel GoBib! It is the perfect family outing necessity meant to catch spills, drips, and solid foods that slip away when your child is eating. Crumb catcher pouch in front helps catch bits and pieces from getting on your child’s clothes. These reusable bibs are soak proof and easy to wipe clean!
Protection from the Sun
Sunscreen is OK to use on babies older than 6 months. Younger babies should use other forms of sun protection such keeping baby in the shade using a baby tent or an umbrella along with a hat. Babies who are over six months should wear heavy amounts of sunscreen that contains zinc to reduce skin irritation. This should be reapplied every two hours and it is recommended to be outside for no longer than four hours to keep baby from overheating.
Keep Firework Blasts Away!
Fireworks are typically the main attraction when celebrating the 4th of July! It's important to ensure that you are keeping your baby at a distance when attending a firework show. The loud popping noises are not good for babies’ developing ears and you risk your baby inhaling the fumes from after the fireworks deploy. Fireworks typically scare babies, so keep your distance and at the very least, allow your baby to watch the fireworks from a baby friendly location! If the loud noises are not avoidable, you can check out noise cancelling ear muffs.
We hope these tips will help you and your family have a safe and fun 4th of July! Happy Birthday America!
Summertime is finally here and hopefully you are going to make time to go on a little vacation with your family! As you know, little travelers need a surprising amount of stuff, so we've put together a list to help so you can have the best getaway possible.
