Archive for February, 2008

Spring Registration has begun

February 25, 2008 at 10:37 pm · Filed under Class?

March class registration has just begun. Sign up now to secure your place in the perfect class for you and your little one. Registration is available online, in-store and over the telephone, 401-234-1279.

New Moms Group -
Our structured classes, are held each week to help you learn more about parenting your newborn with topics like sleep regulation, soothing fussiness and gas, returning-to-work and the changes you are undergoing being a new mom.

During a Baby Itsy Bitsy Yoga class, babies enjoy yoga while on their backs, tummies, or held in loving arms. For parents, this class is a special opportunity to meet other moms, get support, and learn about baby’s emerging personality.

Infant massage workshop offers parents a way to bond with and nurture their baby as well as give them tools to help relieve some common baby upsets such as constipation and congestion.

Congratulations! You have nurtured your baby for nine months and gave birth to a beautiful little one. Mom & Baby Yoga can help you are ready to gain back the flexibility and strength you once had, bond with your baby, and connect with other moms.

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Breast milk used to treat cancer patients

February 21, 2008 at 11:33 am · Filed under Got milk?

This is another amazing story. We’re fascinated here at Bellani with the properties of breast milk and excited that this research is now coming out. It’s hard for Lactation specialists to explain to people the benefits of breast milk when so many people say “Oh, it’s just like formula.” Clearly we’re finding out it isn’t. Homeopathy remedies for breast milk have been used for years to cure ear infections, rashes and other ailments, but to find out it’s helping to cure cancer is just remarkable.

To read the article click here.

I’d love to hear comments on these articles or if you’re aware of any other articles.
-Shannon

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New study reveals Breast milk contains stem cells

February 20, 2008 at 2:34 pm · Filed under Got milk?

This is exciting news from Australia & New Zealand. Catherine Madden writes: The Perth scientist who made the world-first discovery that human breast milk contains stem cells is confident that within five years scientists will be harvesting them to research treatment for conditions as far-reaching as spinal injuries, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.

“We already know how breast milk provides for the baby’s nutritional needs, but we are only just beginning to understand that it probably performs many other functions,” says Dr Cregan, a molecular biologist at The University of Western Australia.

To read the article in its entirety, click here.
-Shannon

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Babywearing Safety

February 13, 2008 at 9:10 pm · Filed under Gear, Safety

We’re sling fanatics here at Bellani. We just love them. From the Zolowear ring sling, to the Hotsling pouch and soon-to-be in-store Petunia Pickle Bottom pouch, the Ergo & Beco and of course the Moby wrap. Because we love them so much and know the importance of carrying newborns, we size every person that comes in to make sure they choose the correct sling for them. Sometimes people have an idea of what kind of sling they want, but come to find out it’s not right for their body type. Unfortunately, there are a lot of places to buy slings without having a fitting or finding the correct one.

There’s an article on Mothering that talks about the bag sling. This article is featuring Infantino, even though there are many others like it. Briefly it states: First, the design of the SlingRider causes baby to naturally curl chin to chest, larger babies more so because their heads are positioned further up in the carrier. This position kinks baby’s airway causing the baby to work harder to breathe. Second, it is very difficult to keep a newborn’s face away from the pouch fabric and Third, it is very difficult for the parent to monitor their infant unless they pull open the top of the sling. They have some great pictures to get a better idea of a wrong fitting sling.

To read the article click here.

If you have any questions on any of the slings we carry, please give us a call at 401-234-1279.
-Shannon

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The Tides are Turning

February 10, 2008 at 10:01 pm · Filed under Feeding, Mom stuff

I am happy to post I made the most delicious baked ziti last night from The Sneaky Chef cookbook. As my two boys gobbled it down, I couldn’t help but smile with every bite they took thinking you’re eating cauliflower, white beans, tofu, tomatoes, carrots, sweat potato and whole wheat pasta. It was one of the most satisfying meals I have made. After feeling confident of my one meal, I took a chance on a new banana bread recipe this time from the Deceptively Delicious cookbook. With 3 bananas, 1/2 cup of cauliflower puree, whole wheat flour and many more healthy ingredients I was eager to try it. My five year old ate 3 pieces while saying “this is really good”. Am I onto something here? I now can’t wait to make other recipes. To think that last week I wanted to throw in the towel. What’s next? Breakfast cookies and chicken chunks are on the menu (sounds weird, but they look great!).
Hope you had a wonderful weekend.
-Shannon

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Why did I think this was a good idea?

February 7, 2008 at 10:15 pm · Filed under Family, Mom stuff

This has nothing to do with Bellani, but just as a mom.

Have you had that day in a while where you said “why did I think this was a good idea”? We all want our children to eat well. Fruits and veggies, whole grains and low fat foods. In the beginning my five-year-old was a great eater. At eight months he devoured peas and corn, tofu and green beans. But as most of us know, around 15 months it all changes and he has never gone back. The only veggies I can get him to eat are raw carrots and red peppers. Which in the scheme of things I guess isn’t too bad. The problem is having him eat the same 2 veggies every night. Who would want to do that? I certainly don’t. Forget about my 2 year old. He won’t touch a vegetable. Even new ones I introduce, somehow he knows it’s in the vegetable category and actually pushes it off his plate while saying “no mommy, yucky!”

So I did it again. I actually thought I could make all these wonderful healthy meals and my two children would magically eat them. I should have known better because I’ve been down this road before. When my oldest was about 14 months I was at a playgroup with a few other moms. There were all discussing the homemade pancakes they made earlier in the day and the fresh fruit and veggies they had cut up so nicely to bring with them. I though hmmmmm, I’ve never made homemade pancakes and being the best mom I can be, I should make those. Why do we get caught up in this theory? To make a long story short, I made the “homemade” pancakes the next day, got upset when my son wouldn’t even touch them and cried when I saw the mess I had made and spent the next 15 minutes cleaning it up. Don’t get me wrong, I think homemade food is wonderful. It’s the reason why I keep putting myself through this cycle. Back to my recent endeavor…

I spent half of a Wednesday pureeing, peeling and packing food into the freezer in my half cup sizing. I kept a few bags of squash and sweet potatoes, green beans and spinach and a special flour recipe out to cook with that night. I won’t say what I made (some of you may have made it and actually liked it, in which case my cooking may just be really bad). It looked so appealing, smelled great and I couldn’t wait to have my family eat this healthy meal. So when again my 5 year old took one bite and made “the face” while saying “Mom this is really not good” I again said to myself, why did I think this was a good idea?

Needless to say, I haven’t made anything else that “healthy” since then. Not that I’m defeated by these healthy meals, but the memory is still too fresh. We’ll see what happens in the next few months…
-Shannon

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Another one of My Favorite Things

February 7, 2008 at 10:10 pm · Filed under Maternity

On Tuesday, while working at Bellani, I was suddenly overcome with heartburn. Leave it to number three to present this common pregnancy discomfort. I remembered the samples of Baby’s Bliss Pregnancy Heartburn Comfort we had picked up while we were in Las Vegas. Within ten minutes, heartburn was gone. What else can I say? Things working is priceless to me, especially when you are all alone in a store, with no where else to turn. They had a pleasant Berry Flavor, unlike the Tums fruit which is incredibly chalky in my opinion. What I also like about Mommy’s Bliss versus other products is that the Pregnancy Heartburn Comfort doesn’t have sodium bicarbonate or aluminum.
-Kelly

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A Few of my Favorite Things

February 7, 2008 at 10:06 pm · Filed under Maternity

The BellaBand has been amazing for me! This little tube has allowed me to stay in my non-maternity clothes, and at the same time hold up the two pair I’ve purchased so far. Remember when the pants just weren’t comfortable buttoned anymore? It always seems to happen around four pm for me. No one knows that your pants are unbuttoned, and very often unzipped. I can also say it is a great way to conceal your newfound belly.

I have the BellaBand in two colors, black and white, although there is also Stone (a khaki-like neutral) and Brown. I don’t wear much Brown, and when I have I’ve used the white band. I can also tell you that I have full intentions of using this band after the birth of our little one, and during breastfeeding to help cover-up my tummy!
bellaband1.jpg

If you want to try one out, come on in and try one on for yourself.
-Kelly

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