8 Tips for Keeping Kids at the Table

kid at table looking bored

Is it impossible to keep your kids at the table? Are they constantly up and moving? This is a common struggle for parents of toddlers and preschoolers. You may have heard about the benefits of family meals, but have been having trouble actually implementing them in your home. Here are 8 tips for keeping your kids at the table.

Bread in a Bag

bread in a bag served in a basket, sliced

Are you looking for a super easy, kid-friendly recipe? Let me introduce bread in a bag. This is one of my favorite recipes to do with younger kids who may be a liability with some of the more involved recipes. You do all the prep work right in a large bag, so there is very minimal clean up after. Assuming you properly close the bag, and get the air out, there should be minimal mess during the mixing too. This is the perfect recipe to introduce your child to cooking! If you’re looking for some other ways to get your kids in the kitchen, check out my printable!

Baby Friendly Banana Oat Muffin

baby friendly banana oat muffin with bananas on the side served on a cutting board

Many recipes that I found online had tons of added sugar, which isn’t recommended for babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no added sugar until age 2. I love baking and love getting my kids involved in the kitchen, but was looking for a recipe that my little ones could enjoy. I couldn’t find anything I liked, so I modified a few different recipes I found and made some fruit substitutions in place of the sugar. This recipe is pretty forgiving and can be fun to make with your kids.

Breastfeeding During the Holidays: 9 Tips for Success

baby in holiday clothes with open mouth

Whether it’s holiday gatherings, holiday shopping, or children’s holiday productions, the holiday season can be very tricky when you’re breastfeeding. Holidays and breastfeeding can each be stressful on their own, so the combination can be overwhelming. Here are 9 tips to have a successful holiday season while maintaining milk supply.

Can I Give My Baby Chocolate?

Child covered in chocolate looking into a pot of melted chocolate

You may find yourself surrounded by desserts this holiday season and may be wondering if it’s ok to give your baby a taste of some of them. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no added sugar until age 2. This can be really hard to achieve, especially if you have older kids. Is it bad to give your baby a taste of chocolate? Probably not, as long as it’s not a regular occurrence.

Choosing an Infant Formula

infant formula, baby bottle, rattle

Whether you’re supplementing while breastfeeding, exclusively formula feeding, or just wanting to have a back-up ready, choosing an infant formula can be a daunting task. The formula aisle is filled with competing claims all stating that their formula will make your baby stronger or smarter. How do you even get started?

Fruit Sweetened Cranberry Sauce

cranberry sauce with cranberries on the table in the backgrounds

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no added sugars for children under 2, but kids love to be a part of holiday meals. Here’s an easy recipe that is perfect for babies. It’s sweetened with fruit, so it will not be as sweet as you may be used to, but babies do not need their foods to be as sweet. This has been a hit at our house every Thanksgiving since I started making it. It requires only 3 ingredients and you have the option of using all frozen or packaged foods, making it extremely convenient. Alternatively, you can opt for fresh options as well.

How to Introduce Allergens to Your Baby

Food allergens with the word food allergy in blocks

Many parents have expressed fear in regards to introducing allergens to their baby. This makes sense. The idea that your child could have an allergic reaction to a food is scary. The recommendations for allergen introduction have changed recently, so you may have done something completely different with an older child. Know that these recommendations are to help reduce the risk of allergies, but there is nothing you can do that is guaranteed to prevent allergies. If your child ends up with a food allergy, it is not your fault.

Poop Problems When Starting Solids

baby standing in diaper

One of the things new parents find most surprising is how focused they are on their child’s poop. Whether your child struggles with constipation or diarrhea, poop problems can add another layer of stress to starting solids. First off, know that there will be changes to your child’s poop. We expect that. Their digestive system has a lot to learn. There are ways to help them through the transition and make it more comfortable for everyone.

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