The Bloom Blog

Dental Health for Baby

Bloom Maternity — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:18:54 +0000

Wait, waiting, waited….that’s what we did for Baby Firecrackers first tooth; which four decided to come in at once when he turned 16 months old. Thankfully that didn’t hold him back from eating, however I decided not to delay making an appointment to see a pediatric dentist to make sure every thing is okay.

Here is what I learned:

Your baby’s teeth begin to develop during the second month of your pregnancy.

Some babies are born with teeth that have already erupted from their gums.

The average age for a baby’s central incisor’s to erupt is 6-10 months (lower teeth) and 8-12 months (upper teeth).

However it’s ok if your baby is at the extreme of either end of the statistical chart, like my little Firecracker. If you’re concerned, ask your dentist or other moms for a good pediatric dentist referral.

For a quick reference, here’s a chart for when your child should be developing their smile.

Upper Teeth	Erupt	Shed
Central Incisor	8-12 months	6-7 years
Lateral incisor	9-13 months	7-8 years
Canine (cuspid)	16-22 months	10-12 years
First Molar	13-19 months	9-11 years
Second Molar	25-33 months	10-12 years

Lower Teeth
Central Incisor	6-10 months	6-7 years
Lateral incisor	10-16 months	7-8 years
Canine (cuspid)	17-23 months	9-12 years
First Molar	14-18 months	9-11 years
Second Molar	23-31 months	10-12 years

*Source: American Dental Association

Is Your Stroller over 20 lbs?

Bloom Maternity — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:16:17 +0000

Weighing in at 12.6 lbs, phil&teds SMART stroller can easily breeze through airport security

We’re in the midst of the nation’s busiest travel season, and for those of you who haven’t traveled with a baby in recent months, might be surprised to find out that at least one airline won’t let you take your favorite jogging stroller behind the security gate.

That’s what I found out this summer when I was traveling on American Airlines. When I arrived at the aiport I was told I couldn’t take my stroller with me in the airport because AA had instituted the following policy:

“Strollers that are large, non-collapsible or over 20 lbs. must be checked at the ticket counter.”

Traveling alone with a 3 year-old and a non-walking 12 month-old, I was stunned. However the ticket agent had mercy on me and allowed me to take the stroller through to my destination since this was such a new policy. On the return flight, a few tears helped me get the stroller past security again, however I noticed my stroller was conveniently baggage checked (& unaccessible) when I stopped in Dallas for my lay over.

Be sure to check your airline’s policy for strollers before you arrive at the airport for this Holiday season. For those of you traveling on American Airlines, here’s their policy posted on-line:

Actually American Airlines told me the new stroller restriction was a FAA policy, which I believed until I traveled again a couple of months later. Flying with a different air carrier, I called to verify the stroller restrictions and the airline laughed at AA’s policy. They said that was like restricting wheelchairs behind the security gate for travelers.

We’ll see if other airline carriers take note and institute the same inconvenience for mothers.

Keep the Kids Movin’ and Groovin’

Bloom Maternity — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:00:53 +0000

Groove Kid Nation "Music in Motion"

If you’re looking for a way to get the kids up off the couch this holiday season, consider the new children’s music CD from Groove Kid Nation titled “Music in Motion.”

My three year-old has had a grand time listening to this compilation of music with an funky soul beat. These energetic kid’s songs not only got him moving — to burn some energy — but was also a teaching tool for him when it comes to identifying high notes vs. low notes, and trumpets vs. the piano.

Through groovy soul tracks and the band of feline characters called the Kool Katz, my bundle of sunshine was drawn in with specific instructions on what to do from funny dances, to playing air guitar, to responding to musical cues, to simply nodding his head to the beat.

We had fund with “Itch and Scratch – Kool Kat Dance” where we laid on our backs and wiggled until our itch was gone. Then the set “Go Kat Go” kept us active as Theloneus the Cat played low notes on the piano. We jumped to jump to the left when we heard low notes, and then jumped right when Theloneus played the high ones. My son got quite an active workout when the notes switched back and forth at a much quicker pace.

Of course our favorite song was the “Funky Chicken” which featured The Kool Kat Horns. This made us want to rock our shoulders back and forth. Even I enjoyed being silly as I flapped my arms to the rhythm of the Funky Chicken.

Enclosed is a 10-page booklet featuring colorful illustrations of each Kool Kat playing their own instrument — which is a fun tool for your child browse through during each song and pick out the instrument that’s being played during that set. Groove Kid Nation extras include downloadable coloring book of the characters from the CD, one track minus the voaclas so that you can be the lead singer, an eclectic EP of the artist’s kid’s heartbeat and acoustic piano (rather cool).

What I like about Groovekidnation.com is that it contains videos, a buyer’s guide to the “Best Musical Instruments for Kids under age 5,” and many resources to help you introduce your child to the world of music. This is going to be a helpful resource for us in the next year or two as we try to decide what musical class we should enroll our children in.

What’s also nice about this CD for the holidays, is that Groove Kid Nation donates 10 percent of the wholesale price of Music In Motion to CARE, a leading humanitarian organization fighting poverty. What a nice way to give back — using music to feed a soul.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Kalencom Diaper Bag Appeared on HOUSE

Bloom Maternity — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:54:51 +0000

Monkey Stripes Orange Diaper Bag

Did you catch the Kalencom Diaper Bag on the small screen this past Monday? It was featured for about three minutes from all different angles, and was even reference by Dr. Taub.

Here is a clip from one part of the scene. The scene goes on for a lot longer and the Kalencom bag makes several very prominent appearances.

You can purchase this bag from Bloom Maternity here for $79.00.

And, congratulations to Kalencom for making it to Hollywood!

One Rockin’ Movement

Bloom Maternity — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:21:06 +0000

As a mother of 5, American Kathryn Wiley knows the profound effect a mother can have on her young. Armed with the knowledge that Haiti has the highest infant mortality rate in the Western Hemisphere, Kathryn started a movement. In 2011, she purchased Rockin’ Baby, and decided to evolve the company into a “Mother to Mother” business.

Bloom Maternity is estatic to sell the Rockin’ Baby slings and pouches and we just love their mission: For every sling purchased, Rockin’ Baby will donate a new sling to a mother in need, and educate them on its importance.

So we reached out to Katheryn to ask her some more questions about Rockin’ Baby’s “Mother to Mother” Movement and what she discovered while visiting Haiti.

Why did you choose Haiti for your Mother to Mother Movement?
I have traveled all over the world, and to many 3^rd world countries. I have now been to Haiti 6 times, and each time the people and the place really impact me. They have so much joy, despite their situation. When I decided to purchase Rockin’ Baby from its founders in Los Angeles, I thought it would be great to add a social aspect to the business. Toms Shoes has always inspired me with their success, and a one for one business model was my goal. I immediately thought of Haiti and the fact that the women do not carry their babies there. This is interesting since their roots are in Africa where they carry their babies primarily. I contacted some midwife organizations, as well as maternal programs in Haiti and asked them their opinion of Rockin’ Baby donating slings to the women there. It was accepted in such a resounding way, that there was never another option. I felt almost responsible to be successful in my Mother To Mother movement, and thrilled that after my first trip, I can say it was accepted with open arms and grateful hearts!

How many times have you visited Haiti, and what has impressed you the most about the mothers there?
I have been 6 times; spending about 4 months there over the years. The mothers are strong, amazing, tenacious women. I definitely think of them when I begin to complain about my load as a woman in America. They have to overcome so many obstacles, including poverty, loss, disease, and so much more…but, they do it with such grace and joy. I absolutely am inspired by these strong women. It is critical I Rockin’ Baby’s Mother to Mother Movement that the Haitian women are portrayed in a positive light; not one that would imply that they are waiting for a hand out!

How many slings have you donated?
I took 300 down in August for my first sling drop. I have several more hundred to take. I am working on sending my next shipment down, as they are out, and need more immediately. I only took 300 because I could not hand carry anymore. Shipping to Haiti is going to be the biggest challenge, that I am working to overcome right now. I have several contacts in Haiti, and so much support on the ground to distribute and educate the women about the slings. The issue is getting them in their hands. Next Spring, I hope to send a team of Mother/Midwives to Haiti to distribute a few thousand. We personally fit each woman in August, and that is the plan for every one we donate. It is critical that the women understand the use of the slings and how to properly wear their babies.

What are some of Haiti’s greatest needs currently?
Wow. That is a big question. They basically survive. When they wake up in the morning, it is about finding food for the day for their family. They fight cholera, malaria and other diseases such as dengue fever (break bone fever) on a daily basis. All of their clothes come from people who have donated to Haiti, and there are a lot of donations being sent. These people went through the most devastating event January 12, 2010, and they don’t even have time to process that because they just have to survive. It breaks your heart to the point of being emotionally paralyzed.

Culturally, what have you found most intriguing about motherhood in Haiti vs. the US?
The struggle. These women have to fight for their lives, and their families lives in a way that bonding/attachment becomes secondary to survival. The program, Heartline Women’s Program that I donate through is focusing on cultivating the bond between babies and mothers. Exclusive breastfeeding is not common, but they, as well as many other programs in Haiti, are working diligently to educate the women of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Without it, women use old formula (that is super expensive) and contaminated water. That is why their babies become so sick and malnourished. The slings will aid so much in breastfeeding, because they can take their babies with them everywhere, versus leaving them at home (sometimes by themselves, or with other young children) so the mothers can get work to make money for food. These babies end up not being fed, and are in harms way without their mothers. Mothers are the primary caregiver for the whole family. Empowering these women, and keeping their babies safe is an unbelievable way to help these mothers.

Any personal insights that you’ve walked away with?
My first intuition that donating slings to mothers in Haiti was not just right, it is critical for decreasing a high infant mortality rate. The midwives who live and work in Haiti believe that Rockin’ Baby can create a cultural shift and benefit mothers and their babies in a way that could change their society. That was amazing to hear. I am charged with that goal.

What are some of their greatest needs currently?
Proper nutritionproper housing, educating the women about attaching tot heir babies, and absolutely, slings.

How can we help from home?
We can push this movement forward. I feel the momentum (especially since traveling to Haiti in August!), and would like it to become viral like Toms did. It is less about the success of Rockin’ Baby, and more about the benefits mothers around the globe will have in bonding with their babies/toddlers!

As a mother purchasing a Rockin’ Baby sling today, you are actually giving the gift of life to another mother and her child in Haiti (and eventually beyond). The impact is huge! Now mothers can learn that slings can be part of their daily lives, no matter how they struggle with their basic needs. In turn, these babies will be healthier, more attached to their mothers and begin a life more fulfilled and optimistic. From you, to them.

Mother to Mother.