Petit Lem Signature » Healthy Kids

Do you make your own baby food?

Petit Lem — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:05:44 +0000

We are loving the Beaba babycook, a compact baby food maker that works as a steamer, blender, warmer and defroster all in one!

Long gone are the days of having to use up countless dishes to make a small batch of your babe’s favourite butternut squash puree. And better yet, the Beaba has options. Meaning you can play around with the consistency, from super smooth for the littler ones to chunkier when your baby is ready.

Have you tried the Beaba?

SPREAD AWARENESS

Petit Lem — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:53:46 +0000

October is Breast Cancer awareness month, let’s make a difference!

Although breast cancer can be fought, early detection is the key. It is so important to get educated, and to help others get informed too.

Whether you wish to donate, raise funds, or even just shop for the cause, here are a few interesting resources.

Visit www.komen.org to get informed and get involved!

We also visited www.pinkribbonshop.com and loved these pieces for mommy & me:

Freshwater Pearl and Sterling Cube Ribbon Bead Bracelet

A trendy way for Mommy to support.

Taking care of our Girls by Marisa C. Weiss, M.D & Isabel Friedman

What a wonderful and educational tool for little girls!

How are you getting involved this month?

PLAY SAFE – Fisher Price Recall

Petit Lem — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:44:38 +0000

Fisher Price recalled over 10 million children’s toys yesterday, including their popular Trikes tricycles and Healthy Care high chairs.

This recall process may not hurt Mattel, but these toys have wounded 14 children, including injuries that needed stitches.

One of the main issues was the “ignition key” on the tricycle which stuck out. Fisher Price has now redesigned it to have a flat key – to avoid any further harm.

Other products such as inflatable balls, high chairs and rampway wheelies, were recalled due to chocking hazard.

“Because they’re parents too”, Fisher Price apologized to all consumers and have replacements for all your products.

For a complete list of recalled products, please visit: www.service.mattel.com

Let’s take this opportunity to take a look at what we should be looking out for when building a child’s toy box.

Especially for kids aged 0 to 3 years, parents should be paying attention to which toys their children interact best with. Let your kids teach you what they relate to, what engages them, and you will be better suited to know what to buy them. It is then the parent’s role to make sure they are recommended and safe.

Toys are the ideal learning tool; they allow your child to learn problem solving skills through play. The more the brain is activated, the better.
This is why offering variety in their toys will encourage them to see for themselves what excites them. You don’t know what they will use to learn, so let them show you!

Here are a few recommendations for all age groups:

LEAP FROG’S LEAP AND GROOVE (6M +) – Toddlers love this musical table, and what a learning toy! Watch your child dance along, as he remains fascinated by it for years. All time bestseller.

MINI DOLL STROLLER (4 yrs +) – They’ve hit hollywood by storm, now let your little girl have the newest accessory. This mommy role playing toy is serious fun.

LIV DOLLS (4 yrs +) - Barbie’s rival is taking trendy to another level. Little girls can change her hair and take LIV’s doggie for a walk. Now thats added value.

TOY STORY’S BUZZ LIGHTYEAR (6yrs +) – To infinity and beyond! Not only does the new Buzz Lightyear action figure have plenty to say, he also turns into a Space Ranger. Special features? He’s only special features. Try him out!

RUBIK’S SLIDE (8 yrs +) - A child’s version of the rubik’s cube, the Slide is all about helping your kid with problem solving. Caution: Mommy and Daddy might want to play too.

ANIMAL PLANET’S WILD EYES SNAKE (8 yrs +) - Your child gets to learn about all these fun animals’ origins. These safe plush toy animals make the sounds of where they come from.

What are some of your favorites? We would love your feedback!

Sources

Safety tips: toyassociation.org

Recommendations: thebigtoybook.com

Celebrity Baby news: celebritybabies.people.com

toyrsus.com

FALL CLASSICS

Petit Lem — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:49:42 +0000

Fall has officially arrived – let’s hit the books!

We believe that it is never too early to introduce your kids to the joy of reading. As their first teacher, you play a fundamental role in their development.

Studies from the American Library Association show that ‘reading to a baby from birth is critical to every baby’s growth and well being’.

Everybody has a favorite. Here are a few of ours that have made the list because of what they offer to each of the following age groups.

Up to 2yrs – Goodnight Moon
There is something to be said about the straightforward writing style and how effective it is at gently putting children to sleep. Margaret Wise Brown’s rhythmic text has had a reassuring influence on toddlers since the 1940′s, and translates just as well today. One of the most classic bedtime stories, it will leave your little one asking for those tender verses for countless nights. The appeal of Goodnight Moon is both captivating and timeless.

2 yrs & up - Love you Forever
This moving story about a mother’s devotion to her son will make your little ones chuckle while you try to hold back your tears. This entertaining take on childhood and parenting successfully conveys the enduring love for one’s child. Robert Munsch aims his story at mothers and invites mommy to share the experience with her tots.
You, like us, will love this book forever.

5 yrs & up – Green Eggs and Ham
An adventure that teaches kids that trying new things is important. Sam-I-Am’s efforts are aimed at convincing a lil’skeptic to try the famous green eggs and ham- which end up being “so good, so good”. Dr.Seuss’ brilliant world uses his amusing rhymes and images to captivate your child.

This story’s playful spirit is an ideal educational tool and a must have in every home.

7 yrs & up – It’s a Book
Lane Smith does a superb job of promoting literacy in a time when so many other mediums are competing for your child’s impressionable attention. It is witty, and its illustrations are playful. Smith uses a tech savvy donkey to portray the digital world we all love, while the protagonist proves to us there’s no better feeling than reading a tangible book. Universally applicable, this amusing story really shows how you much fun a book can be and teaches kids about their generation.

What are your favorites? We would love your feedback!

Sources

American Library Association:

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/initiatives/borntoread/index.cfm

Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Moon-Margaret-Wise-Brown/dp/0694003611/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1285112389&sr=1-5

BACK TO BASICS

Petit Lem — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:09:46 +0000

Gear up right!

Make sure your kids are not carrying backpacks that are too big for them.

The bigger they are, the more they fill them up!

Great tips for a healthy back to school backpack:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26421522/from/toolbar

Heavy Load? Best backpacks for all ages.

By Paul Hochman

For all the attention given to back-to-school gear this fall, one item is probably the most frequently purchased but least properly used of them all: the overstuffed, overpacked, slightly dangerous school backpack.

You know the drill — your darling little tax deduction is getting ready to run out the door for the bus when you realize he hasn’t moved in the last 10 minutes. The reason: His pack weighs more than he does. Your 8-year-old has tipped over backward and, like a pond turtle, is immobilized in the mudroom.

All kidding aside, studies at the Mayo Clinic and at other hospitals around the United States calculate that overpacked or improperly packed school backpacks account for more than 7,000 emergency room visits annually. And according to the American Occupational Therapy Association, over 50 percent of all students between the ages of 9 and 20 suffer from chronic back pain related to the way they wear their packs.

Add in that kids either proudly overpack or are forced by their school system to take everything home every night, and you have some real concerns.

Below are some basic guidelines for buying and packing a school backpack that can help your kid stay healthy … and out of the mudroom.

Cheap means cheap: Unfortunately, a $20 pack purchased at a drugstore chain is worth every penny. The loose price cutoff for a decent pack (unless you buy a discontinued version — see below) is about $40. Licensed gear (stuff with SpongeBob or Miley Cyrus on the side) is often inadequate. Tell your kid Miley Cyrus is a billionaire and doesn’t need your money.
What you get for the money: Padded straps, padded backs, proper shapes. If the pack you’re considering has padded, ergonomic straps (shaped for a kid’s narrower shoulders) and a padded back section to protect your kid from their books, they’ll wear them properly and their books won’t dig into their spine or shoulder blades.
Big (down), small (up): In other words, make sure you place the heaviest stuff in the bottom of the pack snugly against the child’s back, and the lightest stuff on top, away from the child’s back. That way, the pack sways less and moves with the child. Note:
The more compartments there are in a pack, the easier this is to do.
The 15 percent solution: Most experts recommend that your child’s pack weigh no more than 15 percent of their body weight. For reference, an 80-pound 9-year-old should carry no more than 12 pounds. The fact is, this may not seem realistic to any parent (like me) who is used to watching their child go off to fourth grade looking like they intend to summit Everest. Here are some possible solutions: Make sure she only brings home what she needs each day. If it’s not too much of a stretch, get one set of the two or three heaviest textbooks that can stay at home. Actually look in your child’s pack once a week. If my experience is any guide, you will likely find heavy, forgotten items, including sporting gear, extra notebooks and a tuna fish sandwich from 1991.
Chest or ‘sternum’ straps: Look for packs that have a secure strap across the chest that holds the shoulder straps together. This will help stabilize the load.
Use the ‘4-inch’ rule: A backpack should not descend more than 4 inches below your child’s waistline. Any lower, and a fully loaded pack will force the lower spine to arch backward uncomfortably. Consider child-size backpacks made by brands like REI and L.L. Bean.
Wheels: There are only two drawbacks to backpacks with wheels, which allow your child to roll their books instead of carrying them. Some school districts consider the extendable handles on wheeled packs to be a tripping hazard and therefore don’t allow them, and they could make your kid look like a lost member of the flight crew. Check with your kid on the embarrassment factor.

Grade school: The REI ‘Satellite’ pack for little kids is perfect for a lot of reasons — it’s inexpensive; it’s small enough so kids can’t overpack, it has nicely padded straps (and a sternum strap for little chests) and multiple compartments. Plus, it makes them feel like the big kids without overloading them. ($24.50; www.rei.com)

Grade school and high school: The Kelty Redtail pack is made by the same camping company that made the Kelty Cloud, which got to the top of Everest. Assuming you’re not planning this kind of trip, the Redtail is perfect for just about everything else. It has tons of dividers and compartments, a generous interior for bigger bags, a sternum and waist strap and extensive padding throughout. ($59; www.amazon.com)

High school, college or grad school: Ortlieb Velocity: This waterproof backpack is great for students in rainy climates or who generally mess up their bags a lot. Ortlieb, a German brand made famous by New York City messengers, makes the Velocity out of rubber-coated canvas, which is totally impervious and tough as nails. It’s a bare-bones interior, so if you’re not good at organizing yourself, this may not be for you. ($110; www.ortliebusa.com)

Last but not least — remember, if you’re on a tight budget, surf the Web at places like overstock.com and cabelas.com (look in Cabelas’ amazing “bargain cave”) for camping and hiking brands you recognize, like The North Face, JanSport and Camelbak. You don’t have to spend a bundle to bundle it up right.

HERE’S TO YOU

Petit Lem — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:10:25 +0000

From your bumpy days to their high school days, we’ve got you covered.

Our motivation for this blog is to share our insight with you. We’re passionate about all our moms out there, and think it’s time it be about you.

Having been in the baby and children’s wear industry for over 15 years, we know what you need, and when you need it.

We’re here to look out for your babies and kids health and safety too. We will share the most pertinent articles we can find.

We hope to bring mothers together, as everyone is on the same journey. We would love for you all to send us your pictures, and share your experiences.

We’re also here to encourage all of our Signature stores out there – hope you visit them too.

Join us as we visit all the best boutiques in North America!