Monday, May 14, 2007

The Good Mommy Awards

by Lynn-Marie Tayler

My friends and I are quick to ask for the Bad Mommy Award. We turn our backs, and our child falls off the slide and scrapes his knee. Pass the BMA—we should have been paying closer attention. The kids watched six straight hours of Noggin because we were just too tired/sick/busy. Pass the BMA—we let them rot their brains. We sent them to school because we thought they were “faking it”, only to turn around two hours later to pick them up because they lost their breakfast all over the hallway. Pass the BMA—how could we not have known they really were sick?

This week, in honor of Mother’s Day (frankly, I think at the very least it should be Mother’s Week, but hey, who am I?), let’s pass around the Good Mommy Award. We are all Good Mommies, but we are often just a little too hard on ourselves to recognize it. So let’s cut ourselves some slack and tell the world why we deserve the Good Mommy Award. For example, I get the Good Mommy Award because I: let my children have ice cream for breakfast; sang Moon River AND The Rainbow Connection before bedtime last night; demonstrated compassion for them in taking care of an elderly friend. Here are some ways other women have earned the Good Mommy Award this week. Please add yours in the comments section at the end.

“I hug and kiss my babies every day; I am still breastfeeding at 13 months; I’m letting my six-year old grow out his hair despite how crazy it looks!” —Jeni

“I rearranged my work schedule to spend more time with them, even though it means less money; I found their favorite DVD series in the $1 bin at Wal-Mart and bought them; I carve out mandatory cuddle-time each day.” —Amy

“My girls know they can count on me and trust me, and they understand that I love them unconditionally.” —Sonya

“When I pretend eat her foot and she tells me to put it back, I ‘spit’ it out and make her laugh; when she is being silly, I just say “I Love You”—and she tells me she loves me, too.” —Cara

“I’m very active at their school, to where almost everyone knows me as ‘J’s Mom’; I can’t stop kissing and hugging them, and they love it; they tell me out of the blue that they love me, so I must be doing something right!” —Karen B.

“I color with my girls for endless hours; I play hide-and-seek with them over and over; they know that, even if I am angry, I still love them, and I will always be their fiercest advocate.” —Karen G.

“My son is not lacking for affection—we kiss and cuddle him all the time; I have taught him the value of prayer; I remember the magic an ice cream truck brings to a kid.” —Tracy

“I can give my son his insulin shot without flinching; I can talk my daughter down from a severe tantrum and usually understand why she’s having it; I can make the hard decisions and I am good under pressure.” —Chrissa

“Even though I know I shouldn’t, I treat my daughter and myself to an ice cream cone after dance class; I lay down with each child separately to talk about the day; We ride bikes together every evening, even if I’m tired.” —Jen

“I helped my daughter set up a wonderful family tree for her project; I took the time to cuddle with my son this morning; I took the day off to go to their track and field event later this month; I’m working so hard (on the side) to make sure they have an awesome trip this summer.” —Kim

“I will leave the dishes in the sink, to take the kids to the park before it is dark; I read bedtime stories and say prayers with them before bedtime; I am not afraid to be a ‘mean mom’, and tell them no, when I know it is for their own good; I recognize that is ok to take a break from the kids, and go out for a moms night out, every once in awhile!” —Niki

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Friday, April 20, 2007

Tips for Parents of School Age Children: Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of the Virginia Tech Shooting

Reprinted by permission of the American Psychological Association Help Center

As a parent, you may be struggling with how to talk with your children about a shooting rampage on a university campus. It is important to remember that children look to their parents to make them feel safe. This is true no matter what age your children are, be they toddlers, adolescents, or even young adults. Consider the following tips for helping your children manage their distress.

Talk with your child – Talking to your children about their worries and concerns is the first step to help them feel safe and begin to cope with the events occurring around them. What you talk about and how you say it does depend on their age, but all children need to be able to know you are there listening to them.
- Find times when they are most likely to talk: such as when riding in the car, before dinner, or at bedtime.
- Start the conversation; let them know you are interested in them and how they are coping with the information they are getting.
- Listen to their thoughts and point of view; don’t interrupt--allow them to express their ideas and understanding before you respond.
- Express your own opinions and ideas without putting down theirs; acknowledge that it is okay to disagree.
- Remind them you are there for them to provide safety, comfort and support. Give them a hug.

Keep home a safe place –Children, regardless of age, often find home to be a safe haven when the world around them becomes overwhelming. During times of crisis, it is important to remember that your children may come home seeking the safe feeling they have being there. Help make it a place where your children find the solitude or comfort they need. Plan a stay at home night where everyone participates in a favorite family activity.

Watch for signs of stress, fear or anxiety – After a traumatic event, it is typical for children (and adults) to experience a wide range of emotions, including fearfulness, shock, anger, grief and anxiety. Your children’s behaviors may change because of their response to the event. They may experience trouble sleeping, difficulty with concentrating on school work, or changes in appetite. This is normal for everyone and should begin to disappear after a while. Encourage your children to put their feelings into words by talking about them or journaling. Some children may find it helpful to express their feelings through art.

Take “news breaks” – Your children, especially teenagers and young adults, may want to keep informed by gathering information about the event from the internet, television, or newspapers. It is important to limit the amount of time spent watching the news because constant exposure may actually heighten their anxiety and fears. Also, scheduling some breaks for yourself is important; allow yourself time to engage in activities you enjoy. Try to do something that includes family members as well as your children’s friends.

Take care of yourself – Take care of yourself so you can take care of your children. Be a model for your children on how to manage traumatic events. Keep regular schedules for activities such as family meals and exercise to help restore a sense of security and normalcy.

These tips and strategies can help you guide your children through the current crisis. If you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed, you may want to consider talking to someone who could help. A licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist can assist you in developing an appropriate strategy for moving forward. It is important to get professional help if you feel like you are unable to function or perform basic activities of daily living.

This tip sheet was made possible with help from the following APA members: Ronald S. Palomares, PhD, and Lynn F. Bufka, PhD.

Copyright: APA 2007

Posted by Lynn-Marie Tayler

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Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Autism Speaks!

April is Autism Awareness month, so with your help lets get the word out there - TODAY!

Autismspeaks.org, Autism Speaks is described as "an organization dedicated to help find a cure for autism by raising the funds that will facilitate and quicken the pace of research, to raise public awareness of autism, and to give hope to all those who suffer from this disorder."

Autism Speaks created a music video of the Five for Fighting song, "World", which features images of autistic children and their families.

It is a truly moving video. The band is generously donating $0.49 to Autism Speaks for *each time* the video is viewed - the funding goes toward research studies to help find a cure. When you have a moment, please visit the link below to watch the video and pass it along to
your friends and family. They are aiming for 10,000 hits, but hopefully we can help them to surpass this goal. Please take a few minutes to view this video.

Please click on the link below…

http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/213154



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Saturday, April 07, 2007

Allergies Getting you Down?

If you or your child is suffering from seasonal allergies (also known as “hay fever”), there IS something you can do about it without making a visit to the doctor and utilizing prescription drugs. Here is what you need to know:
Is it allergies?

If your child constantly has a runny nose, don’t assume it’s allergies. This is a HUGE mistake parents make. Considering the “typical” child has 8-10 colds a year, and a cold will last 10-14 days or longer, you might find your toddler or child with a constant runny nose. If your child is well nutriented, well rested, and doesn’t spend all day with other snotty kids, he will probably not be “typical.” But when your friend’s snotty toddler is pawing all over your child and his mom says, “it’s allergies,” -it probably isn’t. But how do you know? Common symptoms you can look for in your child include:

· Runny nose
· Itchy eyes
· Sneezing
· Red or dark, puffy circles under the eyes
· Itchy throat and neck
· General fussiness
· Congestion and coughing
· The symptoms occur during “allergy season” or when he gets near a specific stimulant (a certain moldy house, a certain part of the country, dust, certain animals, etc.)

What will the doctor do?

If the doctor does agree it’s allergies, she will likely prescribe allergy medicines, or possibly suggest allergy shots if the symptoms are constant and severe enough. We do not suggest either of these options until you try others first. We believe mainstream therapies should only be utilized in life threatening situations, or when natural remedies fail. For instance, children with food allergies should always carry an “epi-pen.” Children with asthma should keep an inhaler on hand (although we do have help for asthma sufferers as well- follow the same advice below). But when it comes to preventing itching eyes and runny noses, there is no medical intervention necessary in most cases.

How to prevent seasonal allergies:

The first thing you need to do is examine your child’s diet. Most of us follow the SAD (Standard American Diet) full of processed chicken nuggets, French fries, Pop-Tarts, breads, sugary drinks- you get the picture. Improve your child’s diet by providing fresh fruits and vegetables, and simply stop buying the things you know are bad for him. Make waffles or pancakes from scratch (they will keep a few days in the fridge/freezer and you can just re-heat for rushed mornings). Eliminate as much sugar, refined flour, trans-fats (margarine, chips, dough-nuts, etc.), and corn syrup as possible.

Next, you need to provide your child with a full spectrum, high quality nutritional supplement. Do not expect vitamins like “Flinstones” to do what high quality vitamins will do. It’s just not going to happen. You may even find after adding the right vitamins to your child’s diet that her appetite grows and improves to the point where she ASKS for healthier food. In our case, the addition of a high quality children’s vitamin was enough to solve our allergies and asthma.

Finally, place an air purifier in your child’s room at night. Our bodies recuperate while we sleep, and if your child is exposed to an allergen while she is sleeping, she will not get the rest she needs, and she will be even more likely to suffer from allergies while awake. It is a vicious cycle that you CAN prevent.

You can read a little more about Natural Seasonal Allergy Remedies and why this subject is so important to me. It has been three years since I found relief for myself and my son. Our lives have been impacted in such a dramatic way by making these lifestyle choices and diet improvements. I wish that doctors would learn themselves and educate more parents about natural prevention strategies. Drugs are never the best answer, and only a last resort when prevention strategies fail. We know numerous people- including adults- who have found relief from MANY ailments, including allergies and asthma, by doing the above. Try it yourself, and don’t let those allergies get you down!

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Monday, March 19, 2007

Divorcing with Kids - Things to remember

In recent reports (though scattered) it seems that somewhere around 50% of all married couples will divorce, then somewhere around 75% of those people have children. Sadly, it’s the child that often feels the effects of your divorce the most.
The importance of keeping a positive relationship with your ex, no matter what kind of divorce you had, or how much of a pain it is, should be of utmost concern.
I can attest, it’s not an easy thing to do. I am a divorced, single mom of a 7-year-old girl. Learning to deal with being divorced is a hard thing to get through, and when you have a child it can be harder – here are some guidelines to make sure your divorce affects your child as little as possible -
Never use your child as a pawn in your “battle”. Remember, the best interests of your children have to be the first and foremost consideration, in BOTH of your minds. Whenever possible, keep your divorce proceedings “friendly” – remember you have children together and a bad relationship now will only lead to a bad relationship later when you're trying to work TOGETHER for the best interests of your child! If joint custody is awarded (or agreed upon), never talk unkindly about your ex husband (or ex wife) and don’t ask questions about what the “ex” is doing now that your not with them – putting your child in the middle will only cause them more pain than they are already facing – no one wants that.

You need to remember, your child is trying to figure out his or her new world as a child from a “broken” home, they are trying to understand what happened and often times they are blaming themselves for it all. You MUST reassure them that no matter what did happen it is in no way their fault, that you and your ex still love them, and that no matter what they're FIRST on your “list” of priorities – always!
Another thing that might be VERY hard is: don’t talk about your ex begrudgingly around family or friends especially when your children are around! If you MUST vent, do it while the kids are in school or with friends – then make sure you ask the person you did vent to to NOT to talk about this topic while your children are around! You want to be sure that the lines of communication are OPEN and that your children know that they can come to you with any questions they have – and you have to be prepared to answer them, and answer them honestly (or as honestly as you can). Note that you may see some “acting out” within your child especially during the first few months, this is normal behavior and is their way of “dealing” with the situation, in the best way they know how. Give them time, don’t push them, when they are ready they will come to you!
Remember, children will most likely seek out other children who are going (or have gone) though the same kinds of things as they are (have). This is healthy and should be encouraged! Kids have an easier time “dealing” when their “best friend” has gone though the same thing! They also tend to “believe” other kids in times when their parents seem to be “stressed” or when you are unable to talk to them about the situation (also normal). Don’t worry, eventually they will come around; once they realize that neither you nor your ex has “left them” and that you both still love them as much as you ever have!
In addition, remember to give yourself a break. Anyone going through a divorce is under probably the most stress they have ever been under in their whole lives! Adding guilt to the “mixture” will not help you or your children! So remember to take it one day at a time – rid yourself of undue pressure and focus on what IS most important during this time – the kids (and yourself)! This is a time of immense healing and discovery, embark on it with every thought of hope you can muster – it only gets better!

Posted By: Jenn with All Natural Mommies

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Saturday, March 17, 2007

Candy-free Easter Baskets

Easter is right around the corner (April 8), and if you’re like me, you are already planning on what the Easter Bunny will leave for your children this year. Whether you do the “Easter basket” gift, or the Easter Bunny hides eggs in your yard, there is a very serious subject you need to be aware of this Easter!

Is it ironic to anyone else that we celebrate holidays with our children by poisoning them? No really, think about it: Christmas- CANDY; Halloween- CANDY; Easter- CANDY; Birthday- CAKE and CANDY. These celebrations probably wouldn’t be a big deal if we didn’t also give them junk on all the other days. Children have learned that they should get some form of candy every day of the year, and they are getting it every where they turn.

Perhaps you are still hung up on the suggestion that candy is POISON. If you are not sold on the danger of sugar to your children (and to you) here are some sources that might help to see sugar for what it is:
Sugar and Cancer
146 Reasons Why Sugar Is Ruining Your Health

While it makes sense to manage your children’s sugar and candy intake daily, should you really be concerned about the few holidays a year that bring an onslaught of candy? Well, if you think about it, the candy doesn’t last one day. As I write this, we still have Halloween candy in our house and it is March 1st. Every day I hear, “Can I have a piece of candy?” Every church activity our children have, they get 1-2 pieces of candy. When they get their hair cut- they get candy, not to mention junky snacks here and there. Many times, we are not even asked if they can HAVE the candy before it is handed to them. This has gotten out of control!

A couple of years ago, we recognized the candy craze and wanted to do what we could to keep it from our children’s Easter baskets. There are so many things you can give to your children besides candy! Our first goal was to provide things that they would need for spring or summer:
Sandals or flip flops, sand toys, bathing suit, goggles, jump rope, soccer ball, kite, beach ball, sidewalk chalk, children’s gardening tools, etc.

This not only saved us money, the kids didn’t even notice the absence of candy! If you will be buying these things for them at some point anyway, go ahead and stick it in the Easter basket. Not only will it make them excited about spring, it will get them active, which is always a great thing.

Other suggestions are hairbows, bouncy balls, toy puppets, and matchbox cars. You can see more ideas (including small items that fit inside Easter eggs) here. If you do want to have some candy in your children’s baskets, choose organic chocolate, or candy made from xylitol which actually helps prevent cavities.

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Friday, March 16, 2007

Tornado Safety

It’s March 1 and as I type this there are weather systems hitting the southeast causing tornadoes. It’s ironic, because I live in Kansas, and there have been more tornadoes in other areas than we have had here in the last year. Last week, we did have a tornado watch that started in the evening and ran all night. This was new to me, because the other tornado watches we had were during the day. So I was faced with a dilemma: Where do we sleep?

Our house was built in 1919 or so, and has so many windows in every room! We usually all sleep upstairs, but that won’t work when a tornado is on its way. The one downstairs bedroom is safer, but it is not a central room and has four windows. Our basement is not a place you could sleep, but a safe haven from tornadoes should we have one actually come through. So I decided we could all squish into our hallway which was the only central location and fairly close to our basement door. It would be a tight squeeze for me, my husband, and our 4 and 5 year-old, but at least I would feel safe enough to actually sleep. Luckily, the bad weather went through before we went to bed and we felt comfortable enough to sleep in our beds. But it occurred to me: are we as prepared as we should be?

While nobody wants to think about “what if?” -as parents we really need to. As far as tornado safety, here is what you need to know:
1. Keep flashlights and new batteries on hand- enough for each person old enough to carry one (approximately 2 and above).
2. Keep candles and lighters where you will a)remember where they are, and b) be able to get to them quickly.
3. Put sturdy shoes on your entire family if you have to seek shelter during a tornado warning. Should the tornado hit, you and your children will be able to walk through the wreckage to safety.
4. For more information on tornadoes and what you should know to protect you and your family, visit this site.
Eight teenagers died at Enterprise High School in Alabama when a tornado hit on the day of this writing. This reiterates to us the seriousness of these tornado-producing storm systems and I hope that all parents are learning what they need to know and are getting prepared should they be faced with a tornado warning in their town. In addition, all parents should make sure that their day care provider or school has a plan in place as well.

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Monday, March 05, 2007

Lynn's List: Ten Best Children's Books Ever!

by Lynn-Marie Tayler

I have been an avid reader since I was three. I love to read and I read just about anything that I can get my hands on! My children are also readers, and I hope that their love of books is something that will carry into adulthood. My husband, on the other hand, was a reluctant reader. He avoided it when he was younger, and has only since becoming an adult grown to appreciate the power a book has. Together, we read to the children on a regular basis and our bookshelves are stacked with hardcovers, paperbacks, board books, and the like. It is now tradition in my family that at the magical and arbitrary age of three, part of the birthday celebration involves a trip to the local library for the birthday boy or girl to receive their very own card. Reading is one of the best gifts you can give your child.

The following are my personal choices for the ten best children’s books ever. If you haven’t read any of these, run right out to your library and borrow them. If you don’t see your favorite on my list, please add it to the comments section! We’re always looking to expand our reading selection.

  1. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd. This simple tale of bedtime in a little bunny’s home has been sending children into peaceful slumber for over sixty years. It’s quiet, rhythmic cadence is perfect for settling down the little ones and the illustrations are eye-catching, yet simple. Available as a board book (to allow baby to read himself) or as a hardcover book perfect for that special story time.
  2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Really, any book by Carle is a treat (and I just adore the Carle line by Carters!). This one is my and my children’s favorite. They love to watch the tiny larvae transform first into a caterpillar—who eats his way through several fruits and the book—and finally into a colorful butterfly. Parents will like this because it introduces the basic concepts of math (he eats one apple, then two pears, etc.), time (he eats on Monday, then Tuesday, etc.), and science (the metamorphosis from larvae to butterfly is the heart of the story). Children will love the colors and the holes that the caterpillar makes in the pages.
  3. Dr. Seuss. Maybe I’m cheating by throwing his entire body of work into one entry, but it’s my list and as my four-year-old is fond if telling me, “I’ll do it the way I wanna do it, k?” How can you choose just one Dr. Seuss book? From Horton to the Lorax to the Grinch to the infamous Cat in the Hat…all of these colorful characters have been introducing children to the luxuriousness, elegance, and beauty of our language. Short and sweet rhyming schemes capture a child’s attention and their imagination is piqued through Seuss’s artful storytelling. Some of his books provide a subtle moral and social lesson, most notably, The Lorax, a prescient tale of a world that wasted its natural beauty and resources, leaving behind nothingness.
  4. Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch and Sheila McGraw. I dare you not to cry by the end of this touching story of a mother’s promise to her son, as he grows from infancy to adulthood. The poem will be one you will memorize and find yourself saying to your own children, day after day. I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be…
  5. The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone (Little Golden Books). Fun, loveable, furry Grover tries to convince the reader not to turn the pages in fear of the monster hiding at the end of the book. Contrary to how the title sounds, it’s not a frightful story at all. It’s just plain silly! Best read in melodramatic tones for the greatest comic effect. Your children will beg you to read it to them again and again.
  6. Mommy? by Maurice Sendak. This pop-up book by the popular children’s writer was just released this year and is well on the way to becoming a classic like its companion, Where the Wild Things Are. Artfully illustrated by Sendak, written by Arthur Yorinks, and transformed into a clever pop-up by Matthew Reinhart, the mostly wordless story follows an impish little boy as he wanders through a haunted house in search of his missing Mommy. He humorously triumphs over the creatures that come out to scare him, from Frankenstein to the Wolf Man. Parents will be delighted by the cool little feats of engineering that make this a more cleverly designed pop-up than most. Who knows which one of you will have the most fun.
  7. Miss Rumphias by Barbara Cooney. My father-in-law introduced this book to me when he purchased it for my stepdaughter many moons ago. It’s a beautiful tale about “the Lupine Lady”, whose message is one we all should heed: “Leave the world a little more beautiful than you found it.” I still dream of having a garden of lupines someday!
  8. Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary. A hilarious look at a young girl’s first few days of kindergarten. Perhaps you were Ramona, inquisitive and precocious. Or maybe you were pretty Susie with the Boing-Boing curls. Or Beezus, Ramona’s long-suffering sister. Each of us can relate to at least one of the characters, and your child will, too. Read this to your kindergartner or first-grader and the giggles will echo through your house for weeks afterward.
  9. Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret and Then Again, Maybe I Won’t, both by Judy Blume. Yes, two titles sharing one spot. The first is a classic coming-of-age tale for the pre-pubescent girl. I devoured this book again and again, for its humor (“We Must, We Must, We Must Increase Our Bust”) and its poignant way of encapsulating what it feels like to be just on the cusp of young womanhood. The second is an entirely different story than Margaret’s, but the premise is the same, only directed towards pre-pubescent males. I actually recommend all the Judy Blume books; my first was Blubber and I couldn’t get enough of Blume after reading that. (Word of caution: she does write serious adult novels, as well. Keep those away until your little Blume fans grow up. I accidentally read Wifey when I was 10. A little too much information for a young girl!)
  10. Charlotte’s Web by EB White. I just finished reading this classic about a girl, a pig, and a very special spider to my four-year-old. I hope the theme of friendship will stay with her as it has with me for the past twenty-five years. We should all be so lucky as to find a friend like Charlotte.

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Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Cabin Fever

It never fails. Every winter in almost every town (even in Florida where our blood runs thin and we keep our kids inside when temperatures dip below 55 degrees - brr!) kids - and parents - develop cabin fever.

"I don't want to go outside and play. It's too cold." "Mom, it is raining again. I'm bored." Most every parent has heard these statements (or a funnier derivative delivered by a toddler, like "No want to wear snow pants. Up shorts! Up shorts! Go swimming!").

Well, fret no longer. In addition to the great Crafting Ideas post by Kim Monaco of Learn Crafts Online on parenting-advice-blog.com, here's a selection of the web's best resources to get you through the next few months:

GoCityKids.com - Kids museums, science centers, indoor inflatable playgrounds ... oh my! GoCityKids is the perfect city guide - written by parents for parents - in over 20 cities across the nation (and more to come). Want to get a first hand review of a restaurant (including whether the spot has changing tables, kids menus and activities to keep the brood amused while you wait for your food), a theme park (with helpful inside tips) or even libraries? This is the site to visit. Each city offers hundreds of reviews and listings, so you can find something to do or somewhere to visit, even on the "yuckiest" of weather days. And don't forget to check out the full event calendar with art workshops, story times, fairs, festivals and (bless them) even Parents' Night Out activities!

Family Fun Magazine - No need to subscribe (though you'll receive plenty of offers to do so during your visit) as the website offers loads of information not found in the printed magazine. Parents can search for ideas by age range (toddlers through twelve-year-olds) and even modify the search by what their kids love most (Princesses, Sports, Animals) to come up with a list of recipes, craft ideas and games with their theme. For the, ahem, less crafty parents (like myself), the site also offers fast craft and recipe videos to help you figure out just how those Snowman Cupcakes come to life.

And if you find yourself snowed in but still want your kids to learn something on their days off, try out the FunBrain.com free kids activity center. Kids can play Math Baseball, Grammar Gorillas, and more. There are even educational games for the high school set, like Proton Don (which focuses on Chemistry) and Where is THAT? (a great geography game for parents, too). A Sudoku section is sure to keep family members' brains twisted!

These sites might help you get the family to summer vacation ... when you should be prepared to hear "Mom, it's too hot to play outside. I'm bored."

Ahh, parenting.

Posted by: Colleen Aravena

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Thursday, February 08, 2007

The Best Water to Use for Baby's Formula

While it’s common that natural parents lean toward breastfeeding rather than formula feeding, there are times when we depend on formula or are unable to breastfeed. A recent article and comments from some moms have prompted me to write this article. First, let me reference the news release, which stated that infants should not drink formula made with “nursery water” because of its fluoride content. This might sound odd to some, since the whole reason nursery water was produced was to protect the developing teeth of infants, in the hopes of preventing childhood caries. You can learn more about the dangers of fluoride and why it should not be ingested internally EVER.

Fluoride is found naturally in water (and tea) and is also added to water in some municipalities. About 60% of water suppliers still fluoridate the water, so if you’re not sure you need to check your local supplier. (More communities are fighting to have it removed every day.)

While some parents believe (and some doctors will tell you) that boiled tap water is perfectly safe for infant formula and toddler’s drinks, it is definitely not. Boiling water removes NO contaminants and all it will do is kill any pathogens in the water. Essentially you are feeding your baby dead pathogens, and other contaminants found in tap water such as fluoride, chlorine by-products, arsenic, lead, pesticides, nitrates, and many other things that the EPA doesn’t even test our water for.

While many people depend on filtered or bottled water, these offer a false sense of security. Filters do not purify the water and things can actually grow IN the filter, passing through to your “filtered” water. Bottled water, largely unregulated, can actually be local tap water. There is no way to know what’s in it without testing every bottle you open, and it’s also expensive! The purest possible water comes from a home water distiller. Not only is fluoride removed, but almost 100% of impurities are removed from distilled water, from every batch you distill. While the word “distiller” might conjure up visions of tubes, massive boiling tanks and illegal substances, a water distiller is simply a kitchen appliance which sits on your kitchen counter and boils your water. The steam is collected in a container, providing pure, clean, distilled water.

Home distilled water is not only the best water for your baby’s formula, it is also the only water you should provide for your toddler, older children, and adults as well. It seems that many parents feel that if it doesn’t kill you on the spot, it must be safe for you. That could not be further from the truth! It is imperative that we do our jobs as parents and protect our children from harmful food, drinks, and air whenever possible. Using fresh, home distilled water for your baby’s formula is the best way to provide that safety in your baby’s bottle!

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