Thursday, June 24, 2010

For Up to Age 12... Says Who?


A short, short, true story from one of our customers...

Is it really true? Do you really have to get rid of your toys when you turn 12 years old?

My brother seemed to think so. My family remembers this story well, and I'm afraid it goes down in history as one even I, his little sister, will think of when I see a toy destined "for up to age 12."

You see, my brother loved and adored his toys. Especially his legos and play mobile characters. We never had tv growing up, and I tell you, our imaginations got a run for their money. But the ever looming 12th birthday was approaching and worry was all over his face.

"You don't have to get rid of your toys just because the box says for up to age 12", my parents tried to reassure him.

But nevertheless...

The day he turned 12 that was it. They were gone. Without so much as even asking our parents for approval, the small fortune they had spent over the years was shoved into the hands of some boys more "appropriately aged" for such things.

Now, as he turns 30 this year, he has begun slowly but surely collecting those favorite little long lost friends of his again. For me, I guess it would be coloring. Sometimes when I'm stressed out I actually think about how nice it would be to put on some music and just sit down and color!

It's actually kind of inspiring to see him get in touch with his inner child like that. I just hope this time he doesn't take it so literally when the box arrives with those dreaded words... For up to age 12


Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Story Time Tomorrow

Don't forget to bring your wee little ones around tomorrow... It's Story Time!!

June 24th in our downtown Fallbrook shop
10a - 10:30a

Come hear a real story teller!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Reading to Your Baby


Many people start communicating with their babies while they are still in the womb. Although it is not exactly certain when the baby can hear what, it is known there are definite benefits to reading out loud during pregnancy, and even after the baby is born.

The consensus seems to be that around the 4th month, the baby will indeed start to hear sounds such as the mother's heart beating, the stomach gurgling, and the movement of blood. This is a time when the baby's ears start to develop nerve endings from the brain and protrude a bit off the head. Loud noises are also likely to get their attention (hoping for a future rockstar? This might be the time to play some upbeat music).

Shortly thereafter the baby might be able to pick up actual voices during conversations, but again it is tricky since there is so much going on between the ears and the actual outside world (think amniotic fluid and the not so cuddly protective paste covering the baby).

But into the 7th month it seems that a baby can actually recognize the voice of its mother as all the senses begin to really get in tune.

The vibrations of a mother's voice can be extremely enjoyable to the baby, and can help create a bond between them and their parents. Not only will it relax the baby, but it can relax the mother too, especially if she chooses to read one of her favorite books. Most expectant moms know how hard it can be to calm down and let go of stress, and reading out loud may do just that. And that's good for baby!

Sometimes the men feel left out since they can't really be a part of the physical experience, and reading can help them create that special bond too... don't leave out dad!
Ok so now the baby is... well, a real live baby! Don't stop reading to a child simply because it seems they can not understand. Reading to infants may
  • build listening vocabulary, and memory skills
  • introduce concepts
  • further parent-child bonding
  • teach them about communication
Babies don't understand pictures very well, but that doesn't mean they can't focus on them just the same. Books with bright colors and shapes will sti
ll grab their attention and by the time they are 6 months to a year old, they will begin to understand what pictures really mean.

A baby learns all the sounds it needs to speak its native language by the time he or she is one years old! So why not help them along the road to reading? They will have a much better vocabulary when they are finally ready to speak, more importantly being able to better communicate with mom and dad.

So pick up an ol' favorite and get going!


Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Babies

Has anyone seen Babies yet? It looks so cool!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Workshop: Baby Slings and Cloth Diapers

Join Amy Rowland as she gives another free workshop on two of the things expecting mom's are wanting to know. What are the ins and outs of cloth diapering, and how to use the different kinds of baby carriers.

Click here for more details from our last workshop, and keep in mind this one is scheduled for June 8th from 10a to 11a at the downtown store.

Documentary: The Business of Being Born

We got a good tip from a San Diego mom who read our last blog about home births vs hospital births. She recommended the documentary The Business of Being Born, in which we just watched the trailer. We found it on netflix as an instant play movie, or you can order it. One of our friends said, "Just after watching the trailer, I'm afraid to give birth in the hospital."

Watch the trailer and see what you think, and really try to break the mold of thinking that the hospital is the only way to go. It's right for some people, but is it right for everyone?



and thanks to blogger missmehoneybee for the suggestion!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Hospital Birth, Home Birth, or Birthing Center?


The trend towards birthing in hospitals is one that has only just begun in the last century. It was not even until the 1920's that women became drawn to hospitals due to the availability of newer pain relief options. But women in the 1970's were beginning to discuss how the environment in a hospital was safe, but very uninviting. They also left out consideration to the expecting mother's other family members and general comfort of what can be a very long stay.

Birthing centers are an answer that seem to be gaining popularity in the community of low risk pregnancies. The environment of a birthing center is to provide a safe place for labor, but also to feel more home-like, allowing for as much family who wanted to be there, to comfortably participate in the birth. They are generally larger than hospital rooms, with a more cozy decor, personal bathrooms, and personal care.

And then home births are obviously one of the most natural methods a mother could choose. You have free reign to eat and drink, move around, and most importantly, it is the option with the lowest chance of infection.

Let's just break it down to some basic pros and cons. This list is from pregnancychildbirth.suite101

I. Hospital

Pros

  • Anesthesia (for surgery) and analgesia (pain relief) is readily available in hospitals.
  • Helpful for many women and/or babies with high-risk health issues.
  • Additional help in recovery.

Cons

  • Medical interventions are harder to avoid in hospitals.
  • Medical staff (for the most part) are strangers to mother.
  • Lack of privacy.
  • Hospital environment can be stressful, noisy and less relaxing.
  • Highest chance of infection for mother and baby in hospitals (see below).
  • Cannot eat or drink.in most hospitals.
  • Highest Cesarean rate of all three places of birth

II. Birth Center

Pros

  • Fewer medical interventions in birth centers.
  • Medical staff (midwives typically) are more familiar to mother and family.
  • Often birth centers have many natural pain relief options such as jacuzzis.
  • Better freedom of movement during labor and birth of baby (little or no restrictions on mother's choice of positioning)
  • Mother can eat and drink as she desires in birth centers.

Cons

  • No anesthesia available.
  • Transfer from birth center to hospital is required for complications with mother or baby.
  • May not be available to all women due to insurance or lack of birth centers in their area.
  • Typically must leave birth center within about 6-10 hours after birth.

III. Homebirth

Pros

  • Environment is more relaxing at home.
  • Medical staff (midwives) and helpers are well-known to mother and family.
  • Little to no medical intervention in homebirth.
  • No restriction on eating.
  • No restriction on positioning.
  • No limits placed on length of labor at a homebirth.
  • Lowest risk of infection from all three places of birth.
  • Homebirth has the lowest chance of a Cesarean birth

Cons

  • No analgesia or anesthesia available in home birth.
  • Homebirth requires transfer for complications of mother or baby.
  • Expertise and training of home birth support/medical team varies.
  • Mother and labor partners may have to provide their own pain relief options such as a tub rental.
  • Not covered by all insurance.
  • Parents may need to arrange for their own immediate postpartum help if needed.
Really what it all boils down to are the opinions, beliefs, and risk level of the expectant mother. If she values privacy, or has fears of infection, a hospital birth may not be the best choice. If she is set on medical pain relief and feels safer in a hospital environment, a home birth or birthing center might not make her as comfortable. It all just depends.

Women can safely give birth in a number of locations, we are just more used to seeing hospital births in our culture and in movies and on tv, and in turn makes it feel as though it's a scary decision to choose elsewhere. "A 2003 study of nearly 3,000 birth center births versus hospital births found that not only did both places resulted in equally safe outcomes for both mothers and babies, but the women who gave birth in birth centers wound up with fewer epidurals and cesareans."

The best advice is just to do research, investigate local facilities, and talk to others who have experienced both options.

Another great entry we found is this one:

http://metropolitanmama.net/2009/04/birth-centers-versus-hospitals/

Where a woman talks about her first pregnancy in a hospital, vs her second in a birthing center. She gives a much more personal pros and cons list, and we recommend any expecting mother read it!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Story Time

This is a free event where kids of all ages can enjoy hearing a great story from one of our Wee Little Sprouts story tellers.

June 24th in our downtown Fallbrook shop
10a - 10:30a