New Blog Reviews of Atterdag Kids Products

The Mommy Files Blog Review

Thrifty & Chic Mom Blog Review

Amazon Dream Baby Registry Sweepstakes

Enter to win a dream baby registry valued at over $3,000 in apparel, feeding, gear and nursery products from top-name baby brands like Britax, Fisher Price, Graco, Quinny, Maxi Cosi and Skip Hop, including a one year supply of Huggies Supreme diapers!

One Amazon Dream Registry Sweepstakes winner will be selected each month from May through December for up to eight chances to win.

It’s easy to participate - you simply need to create an Amazon Baby Registry and add 10 items to be automatically entered into the sweepstakes. The sooner your readers create their baby registries, the more chances to win! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Drawings monthly. Ends 12/31/09.

For more info or to participate, click here.

Ten Smart Snacks for Moms and Kids

Making healthy snack choices for you and your kids can be the toughest food decisions you'll make all day. We asked Tanya Zuckerbrot, M.S., R.D., author of The F-Factor Diet: Discover the Secret to Permanent Weight Loss and founder of the nutrition and lifestyle website SkinnyAndTheCity.com, for her favorite nutritious snacks.

Here, the mom of three shares 10 delicious recipes for fiber-and protein-rich snacks that will keep you and your little ones full without any of the junk

Must-Read Tips for Your First Week with Baby

I'd done the necessary prep work for my baby's arrival. But all that stuff is fluff when it comes to making it through the maiden days of motherhood. That's when you need to master new skills that you can't prepare for or practice until your baby arrives, like breastfeeding, soothing a crying child, surviving on no sleep, and tackling other areas of uncharted territory. To help you ease into your first week, we've asked experts and moms who've been there how to handle the most common challenges.
Read the full article.

Made for Moms

Calling all dads and kids! Mother’s Day is approaching. These fun and creative ideas from Parents.com are sure to please any mom who receives them.

View the ideas by clicking here.

Baby Clothes – New Kissy Kissy Line at Atterdag Kids

Check out the most recent addition to our selection of high quality, trendy clothing for babies and children. Kissy Kissy Star Spangled Line of baby clothes. Check it out at www.atterdagkids.com

Michelle Obama: Her First 100 Days as Mom-in-Chief

While President Obama reaches his historic milestone, Michelle celebrates her big day, too! From vegetable gardening to rubbing elbows with the Queen, the last few months have been a whirlwind of White House activities for the first lady.

Here’s a peek at a few of Mrs. O’s achievements.

The Best Children's Audio-Books

Let's face it: You can't always find the time to read to your kids. So why not let Meryl Streep do it? Or Jeremy Irons? More and more children's titles are getting the audiobook treatment, providing perfectly edifying ways to pass time on car or plane trips (or even just while you clean out the basement). You can purchase this literary ear candy in the form of CD box sets or via download (many are available on iTunes, and nearly all can be found at Audible.com, a subscription service that allows one or two audiobook downloads per month with payment of a membership fee).

In this article, listed by age group, are 15 examples of excellence of execution in the audiobook medium.

Baby at the buzzer: Older couples race against their biological clocks to start families

Kim Harper started a career before starting a family. After graduating from Michigan State University in 1990, she traveled, earned a law degree and began working as an attorney. When Harper married in 2006, she and her husband, Jeff, hoped a baby would soon follow. A year passed; no baby.

Like many women who marry later in life, Harper didn't think much about her fertility until she'd reached the age at which many doctors warn that healthy pregnancies don't come easily.
In fact. the statistics might surprise some women.

Read the full article....

AtterdagKids.com Announces Brand New Kissy Kissy Lines Are Now Available For Preview and Purchase

AtterdagKids.com, an online retailer of high quality designer baby clothes and accessories, today announced that it has recently added the latest lines from leading children’s clothing designer Kissy Kissy to its web site. The new lines, Hot Air Ballons, Dolphins, Le Papillion and Organic Flower are immediately available to preview or purchase at AtterdagKids.com.

Alll of Kissy Kissy’s lines are perfect to stylishly outfit your favorite child, and the adorable, soft prints are perfect for the summer season. Kissy Kissy’s lines are made with high quality, 100% Soft Pima Cotton, and each piece is comfortable, stylish and sure to please anyone who receives or wears them.

Click here to view the latest lines!

Recreate Celebrity Mom Style

Love them or hate them, celebs know how to dress. This article presents easy -- and affordable -- tips from top stylists and you, too, will be ready for the camera.

Why Being Less Protective Is Better for Your Kids

What mom doesn't recognize this impulse to swoop in and make it all better? There are so many things that people forget to tell you about being a mother, and this is one of them: When our children suffer, so do we. And we suffer on a variety of levels. We remember our own bruised knees and skinned heart, and want to spare our children the same pain. And while part of us knows that sometimes, being a good mother means allowing them to fall off their bikes and to make friends with children who we suspect in our hearts will hurt them one day, the protective Mama Bear in us objects. And so we struggle within ourselves: Do we barge in and save our kids, or do we stand back and allow them to experience life's hard knocks?
Read the full article.....

Stay-at-home moms find job-hunting a challenge

Many mothers who planned to stay home to raise children say the recession has pushed them to work — or hunt for work — much sooner than expected.

At playgroups, employment firms, nanny agencies, therapists' offices and online discussion forums, married women are saying a husband's layoff, fear of downsizing or tighter household budgets have forced them to update resumes they thought they had put to rest until their kids went to school.

Read the full article.

Sibling Squabbles and Fighting

Experts agree that constant feuding won't affect the relationship children have with each other when they grow up. Siblings fight because they're hungry, tired, bored, or they want Mom and Dad's attention. Sometimes they squabble because they're simply sick of spending so much time together.

This article provides advice on keeping mundane conflicts from escalating into nasty free-for-alls.

Recent Blog Reviews of Atterdag Kids Products

BeeswhoBuzz.com
Cach Cach Tiger Activity Blanket
Designer Baby Clothes – Me Too and Cach Cach Footie

Jamie's Precious Peas
Me Too Alma Skirt and coordinating Me Too Bonnie Top

The Funky Monkey
Their Mimi and Maggie Meadow Sweater is gorgeous….

Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls
Atterdag Kids – Easter Week

Mommies with Style
Kissy Kissy is Softy Softy

Go Green to Save Green

Don't believe the frog--it is easy being green, and you don't have to spend a small fortune to do it. We've got everything you need to be both eco- and wallet-friendly, and at minimal cost to you--in some cases, even free!

Read more....

Rumbly in the Tummy: How to Treat Stomach-Related Illnesses

This article presents baby's most common tummy-related problems, what they mean, and how to make them go away.

Should Babies Eat Fish?

Over the years, the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, essential nutrients found in seafood have been touted. Study after study have been proving their contribution to infant brain development and more. One pediatrician began "prescribing" omega-3's to my patients in 2000 by encouraging their parents to offer them more fish. Since then, he has only grown more convinced that omega-3's are the head-to-toe nutrient because they're good for nearly every organ of a child's body, from the brain to the skin. Most parents, however, are unsure about feeding their babies fish, which is the richest source of DHA, the healthiest type of omega-3 fatty acid for infants.

Here's why -- and how -- to "go fish," for both your baby and you!

16 Perfect Baby Thank-You Notes

One more perk of having a baby? Those incredibly generous gifts. But you know the rules: Once you unwrap that sweet receiving blanket, it's time to pen the proper thank you. And this is one instance when an e-mail won't do.

This article presents 16 of the most perfect thank-you cards, each one reflecting your fun, fashionable aesthetic. After all, they may be for baby gifts, but let's be honest -- these notes are really from you.

New Kissy Kissy Lines Now Available at Atterdag Kids

Now Available! New Kissy Kissy lines that have been added are "Lets Go Fishing", and "Ocean Pals". Links below.

Ocean Pals

Lets Go Fishing

New job for laid-off moms: stay-at-home motherhood

Many laid-off women are involuntarily experiencing the life of a stay-at-home mom, and they are getting to know a lot more about the details of their children's daily existence. They are also discovering some of the things they have been missing. Though the mass layoffs of this recession have so far affected mostly men, more than 800,000 women have lost their jobs since the end of 2007. For the mothers among them, it means that, suddenly, Mommy's home, often for the first time in many years.

For many of these women, unemployment has no doubt been terrifying. But for some -- particularly those who have the financial resources to ride out the storm -- it has been a precious opportunity to get to know their children a little better.

Read the full article!

Beautiful Baby Search 2009- The Results Are In!

The winner of the 2009 Beautiful Baby search, sponsored by Parenting Magazine and Live with Regis and Kelly, has been announced! View the winner, semi finalists and the beautiful baby gallery by clicking here.

14 Things to Do Before Baby Arrives

Women like control. We try to conceive based on our age, our work schedule, or the seasons. But as you've figured out, your baby-to-be doesn't care about your schedule.

However, there's a lot to do before giving birth. This article presents how to pace yourself and prepare for baby.

How to Make Nutritious Family Dinners

Back-to-school time means a fresh start for your kids -- and a fresh start for you. By now, you've probably got an idea of how to get dinner on the table for the family, but are you serving healthy, nutritious meals? It's time to rethink what you're feeding your kids to make sure they're getting all the nutrients they need, and not loading up on too much fat and calories.

iVillage spoke to Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom, the Today show's diet and nutrition editor, and picked up these simple guidelines -- they're easier than you think.

Top Parenting Trends of 2009

2009 has arrived, and for most of us, it is moving along at a fast clip. So what are the trends top parenting trends emerging this year?

From elephants in nurseries to the Obama girls, Parents Magazine presents what people will be buzzing about in the year ahead.

How to Track Your Family's Health Records

You record all of your child's major (and minor) milestones on video, film, e-mail, and photo albums. But how should you keep track of their health care?

In an increasingly wired world, you might be shocked to learn that your doctor likely maintains your family's vital medical information on ... paper. What gives? This article gives you the lowdown on what you need to know about maintaining your family's health records online.

3 Reasons Moms Are Addicted to the Internet

I was scrolling through family photos on my computer, admiring my two beautiful babies, when I spotted a disturbing trend: My laptop was open in almost all of the pictures. There's my daughter, at 8 months, playing at my feet while I typed away on the couch. There's me and my son, a year later, with the laptop at my side as I held him in my arms.

Seeking information, community, and escape, new moms like myself are spending more and more time on the web. But how much is too much?

Celebrity Moms Who Adopted

Serial adopter Angelina Jolie may get most of the press, but she's far from being the only celeb to become a mama through adoption. A slew of stars we love have done the same.

Check out these 10 fabulous and famous actors and musicians chose to adopt and read their stories.

Is It Okay to Snoop on Your Kids?

You have to know where your kids are, what they're up to, and who they're with. But tweens and teens also have a right to privacy. How can you keep close track of their lives without violating their trust?

Find out more...

7 Secrets of Highly Happy Families

Scientific studies show that a happy family has positive effects on health, improving blood pressure and increasing life expectancy. And the activities you share, no matter how frivolous they may seem, can actually be extremely meaningful in the long run. According to a recent Gallup Poll, 96 percent of Americans rank family as the most important thing in their lives. Building the bonds that make families strong starts with the simplest, and sometimes the silliest, of habits and rituals.
Read the full article...

529's: Investing in your Baby’s Future

The older the parent, the tougher choices one has to make when it comes to saving for college. Which is more pressing, retirement or higher education? And when you do contribute to college funds, the pressure seems greater to make the right decisions.

Once a parent decides to start saving for college, scores of accountants and financial planners champions 529 plans -- state-sponsored educational savings funds that offer tax breaks. First introduced in 1997, there are now 85 plans available. And while there are other college investment programs, 529 savings plans stand out in a variety of ways.

Opinions on the Octuplets: Our Users Speak Out

When a California woman gave birth to the world’s first set of surviving octuplets, the world reacted first with joy and then with outrage. iVillage users had plenty to say about the new mom, her family and the circumstances surrounding the extraordinary pregnancy.

Here are some of their thoughts.

Baby Health Information: The Vaccination Debate

Established medical opinion maintains that the benefits of vaccinations outweigh the risks. A growing number of parents disagree, citing possible links between vaccines and autism, brain damage and even death.

Here, an introduction to a debate that gets stickier every day.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Layoffs

Keeping kids in the dark about something so serious as a job layoff is a huge mistake. First, children come equipped with built-in radar and notice those hushed conversations and pick up on your tension. They may even feel they somehow caused your stress. And hearing such an immensely personal family problem from anyone other than you is plain unfair and could well break down the trust between you and your child. Believe me, your children are far better off hearing this news straight from your mouth. Regardless of how difficult this is, the truth must be told.
Read the full article.

Great books for toddlers on the move

If you think about it, until a child learns to walk, life has a different meaning. Before walking, the child is wholly dependent on a parent for everything. Once a toddler is able to maneuver without anyone's help, it makes sense that the child will identify with and view other moving things with great fascination, especially if they make a loud and interesting noise.

In that spirit, this article’s reviewed books are for all the toddlers who love things that move. There will be a natural gravitation and interest in books that carry this theme.

Work & Family: How to Argue Less About Money

The struggle to find common financial ground between spouses is far from unique -- arguing over money is the number one cause of divorce. The arguing can also get worse after children arrive. However, being stuck in a money-fighting rut doesn't doom you forever. In fact, the path to peace is probably a lot easier than you think. Ready to get started?

New Kissy Kissy Lines Posted at Atterdag Kids

Now Available! New Kissy Kissy lines that have been added are "Anchors Away", "Cottage Rose",  “Purple Rose”, and  "Mini Floral ". Pictures below are previews of lines.

A guide to naming your baby

There's no way around it --- every baby needs a name! It isn't always an easy decision – everyone has input on the names you choose. This article presents 12 real-mom tips to make the process a fun and easy one.

Tooth Fairies: Tooth-Care Tips for Kids

While it may never be a blast for kids to brush their teeth, it doesn't have to be eat-your-brussels-sprouts awful, either. When they're infants, of course, you're steering the cavity-prevention ship, and "fun" isn't necessarily on the itinerary. As they get a little older and you want them to start learning good dental habits, things get trickier. But if you equip yourself with the latest gadgets, some yummy tooth goo, and a few classic motivational tricks, you can keep your children intrigued just long enough for them to shift into autopilot.
Read the full article!

Growing Up in the White House

While the new First Family is marching in the inaugural parade—carpenters, decorators, and movers, will be hard at work boxing up the Bushes and transforming the East Wing into the new Obama family home. What will life in the White House be like for Malia and Sasha?

A glimpse at the lives of other president's kids gives a sneak peek at what lies ahead.

Top Parenting Trends of 2009

For many of us, it is hard to believe that 2009 is upon us. But a new year brings new trends!

From elephants in nurseries to the Obama girls, find out about what people will be buzzing about in the year ahead.

Beautiful Baby Search

Live with Regis and Kelly is partnering with Gerber in a search for Beautiful Babies! Enter and your baby has the chance to appear on the cover of Parenting Early Years win $125,000 towards a college scholarship.

An additional $100,000 will be divided amongst 4 runners-up, to be used toward a college education. And, all 10 of semi-finalists will be awarded a year's supply of Gerber products customized for their child using the Start Healthy Stay Healthy nutrition plan, which helps provide nutrition guidance from birth to preschool.

All submissions must be received by 5pm ET on February 13th, 2009

Enter here!

Top 10 Kids' Health Issues to Watch

As 2008 comes to a close, Akron, Ohio, Children's Hospital has compiled "10 Kids' Health Issues to Watch" in 2009. This year's list includes both mental and physical health issues. However, one common thread factors into many of these issues and so became the country's focus of attention: the economy. The financial crunch, here and around the world, will undoubtedly affect the physical and mental health of parents and kids throughout 2009 - and beyond.

Will You Be a Good Mother?

Will I make a good mom? The question crosses many a woman's mind at some point in her life. Goodness knows, there are enough reasons for trepidation. Loss of control. Fear of sacrificing your own ambitions for your child. Fear of turning into your mother. Worries about how your relationship will change. Fear of realizing, too late, that you just aren't the type to be called "Mama."

It's easy for your imagination to run amok. You can't peek into a crystal ball to see whether you're cut out for the job. Your life, however, is rife with clues. Here, how to read them --whether you've just given birth or are waiting for your first baby.

Read the full article.

Tackle the Family Budget

The days of obsessively checking your tech stocks have likely given way to the somewhat more pressing need of getting through the day with the baby. Until you are able to emerge from the fog, make sure you're taking care of these bare-minimum money-saving strategies and getting any outside help you need.
Read the full article.

Child-Care Choices Guide

You've placed a want ad for Mary Poppins, but you're not sure of the best answer to your child-care prayers. Is a nanny your best bet? Would a daycare center better suit Junior?

This Child-Care Choices Guide offers the pros and cons of different scenarios to lead you to the best solution for your family.

Your Baby's First Holiday

You know your baby is the best gift you've ever gotten -- but how do you make this special time of year special for someone who won't even remember it?

You'll remember, so go for the magic. Here's what to do -- and what to skip -- for baby's first holiday.

Families with Style: What We're Doing for the Weekend

Before having kids, a "stylish" weekend probably included sleeping late on Saturday, taking in the latest movie or new cultural exhibit, throwing (or going to) a fab party and winding down with a long, leisurely brunch on Sunday.

While you may never get back that sleeping-in part, and the "fab" party may involve a trip to Build-a-Bear, family weekends can be as noteworthy as those from your pre-kid days ‑- with a little planning.

Read the article here!

Just Had a Baby? A Six-Week Survival Guide

Plenty has been written on just how to make it through the first few disorienting weeks at home with a newborn. The problem is, at the center of that maelstrom, who has the time to read all of it? This postpartum survival guide culls Fit Pregnancy's favorite experts' tried-and-true tips about how to make the best of this challenging rite of passage.

Here's what you'll need to know.

New Kissy Kissy Lines Now Available at AtterdagKids.com

Now Available! New Kissy Kissy lines that have been added are "Summer Safari", "Ready Set Go", and and "Garden Delight". Pictures below are previews of lines.

Update: Links to products above:
http://www.atterdagkids.com/p-3103-kissy-kissy-garden-delight-footie.aspx

http://www.atterdagkids.com/p-3118-kissy-kissy-summer-safari-footie.aspx

http://www.atterdagkids.com/p-3107-kissy-kissy-ready-set-go-footie.aspx

Dressy Baby Holiday Fashion

Dress your baby up this holiday season. Browse this list of cute outfits and accessories for kids of all ages, as well as holiday tips at Parenting.com.

All the Trimmings! Included in the list is Baby LuLu’s Frances Rosy Dress in Blue. You can find out more about this and other designer baby clothes at AtterdagKids.com

The Balancing Act: What Kind of Mom Are You?

Are all Moms alike? We don't think so. We think each Mom has her own style of balancing life and work, kids and career, food and fun, home and office. What kind of Mom are you? How do you find the balance?

In the questions in this quiz, you are going to find out. We discovered four different general types of Moms who find the balance of their lives in different ways. We think you'll recognize yourself and some of your friends in these different groups. Then we'll suggest some resources to help you be a better Mom, based on your way of balancing the many demands on the modern Mom.

Take the quiz!

Winterize Your Baby

Children under 5 get an average of eight viral infections per year, most of which occur between October and April. Why viruses (and bacteria) prefer the cold months is still not completely understood, but it probably has much to do with the fact that people are confined together indoors with less fresh air, allowing germs to hop from host to host.

It's inevitable that your baby will have his share of runny noses, sore throats, and sleepless nights this season -- and remember, his sick spells have nothing to do with your parenting! The good news: There are a few things you can do to minimize his risk and maximize his immunity.

Find out more by reading the full article.

Just in Time for Christmas: New Baby LuLu lines added at Atterdagkids

Get your Christmas shopping done early!

Some of the new additions recently added to Atterdag Kids Designer Baby Clothes collection of Baby Lulu collection is the Baby LuLu Round Flower Julia 2 PC Set is 100% Cotton with Aqua Trim and Felt Flower.

These make perfect gifts!

Best Toys of 2008: Babies & Toddlers

The holiday season has arrived! To help in your shopping this year, the staff at Parents.com tested hundreds of toys to find the ones they know your kids will love.

Read this article to check out the baby and toddler toy picks for the hottest gifts. You can just shop, wrap, and relax!

Your Child's Top 10 Nightmares and Dreams Explained

If your child has a bad dream about bugs in her bed, would it surprise you to learn that she may be upset about having a new sibling? You can learn a great deal about your child's thoughts and feelings, and how to best comfort her, by discovering the hidden meanings behind her dreams.

In this article, get interpretations of your child's most common dreams and nightmares from dream expert Gillian Holloway, Ph.D.

Hollywood's 10 Hottest Tots

These babes may be raised by celebrity royalty, but they earn their own silver spoons. To determine which tykes were tops, Forbes looked at both press clippings and blog presence for more than 50 A-list tots (5-years-old and younger) over the course of a year. Then, with a whittled down list, they reached out to Los Angeles, Calif.-based polling firm E-Poll Market Research for both awareness data for the kids and consumer appeal rankings for their celebrity parents.

View the list!

How to Help Your Kids Understand Time and Plan Ahead

While the passage of time feels subjective to all of us, it's especially baffling to young children. They don't yet have the skill of estimating how long activities will take. And they're only beginning to come into contact with the devices we grown-ups use to track time. (Did I really just spend an hour and 45 minutes on the computer?)

This article presents some ways to help your kids become more patient, handle long waits, and prepare for the next activity.

5 Toddler Travel Problems, Solved

You've heard the horror stories. But traveling with your 1-year-old can actually be fun -- if you're prepared. In this article, check out expert answers to five common travel problems and discover how to keep your toddler comfortable and entertained on the go.

Are your kids ready to stay home alone?

When is it okay to begin leaving your child at home alone? The answer really is different for every child. In general, children under 10 should not be left on their own, and babies and younger children should not be left alone even for a few minutes. Before leaving your kids at home alone, make sure that they are mature enough to be on their own (even if only for a few hours).

This article presents some questions to ask yourself.

You're Fired: How to Break Up with Your Sitter

There are times when, despite your best efforts, a babysitter just isn't right for you and your family. But breaking up with a caregiver can be as difficult as leaving a high school sweetheart.

However, avoiding miscommunications from the get-go, and you may never have to fire your sitter at all.

Read the full article.

7 New Mom Sleep-Saving Tips

It's understandable if the term "walking zombie" describes you during your new mom days. As you recover from pregnancy and childbirth, you're nurturing an infant who wakes up several times a night feeling hungry (or wet or colicky or disoriented) and needs you to be awake too. Luckily, this is temporary. Once your baby can sleep through the night, you can return to a regular sleep schedule. But most infants won't for least seven to eight weeks, often longer.

The good news: You can almost always sneak in sleep. These sleep-saving moves will show you how.

Health Update: Babies and Kids Need More Vitamin D

Children aren't getting enough vitamin D, according to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which says children need double the previously recommended amount. The group is advising that all children -- from newborns to teens -- get 400 international units (IU), the equivalent of drinking four 8-ounce glasses of fortified milk every day.

Is your child getting enough? Find out more by reading this article.

The Secret to Better Grades

When you see the latest spelling bee champ crowned on TV, or hear about a kid earning a perfect score on the SATs, you probably assume the winner studies all day...or is just a born genius. In fact, there's usually something else at work. These kids, with their parents' help, have unlocked the secrets to being super-motivated students. They like to study, they like to achieve — and they know how to get results.

In this article, they spill their best strategies to help your children love learning and excel in school (and their future careers).

Baby Nursery Setup Tips

For most parents it can be an enjoyable experience to set up a baby nursery. A baby nursery will provide a safe corner for your baby to romp and play. For this reason, it is important that you put in adequate thought and care into setting up your baby's nursery.

This article presents some things you will require to furnish a baby nursery.

The Pregnant Woman's Guide to the Gym

This much is certain: The gym is a great place to be pregnant. If one cardio machine or strength exercise isn't comfortable, there's always another one to try.

However, now that you're expecting, navigating the gym can be extra-tricky. This article presents the goods on what's safe (and what's not), plus the best classes, cardio and weight training for pregnant women.

Green Your Halloween

Halloween is a time to frighten your fellow man, but it is also a time that can be frightening to the environment. Luckily the National Geographic Green Guide has a few quick, easy and efficient tips to curb your waste while maintaining that Halloween spookishness.

Click here for our green tips.

The Best Pregnant Celebs of 2008

Pregnant is the new black. There's never been a more fashionable time to be preggers as some of the biggest celebs in the universe are rocking the baby bump.

Check out the gorgeous pregnancy photos of the best pregnant celebrities and celebrity moms o see what they're having, when they're delivering, and what they're wearing.

Babysitter Solutions: No Pizza Allowed!

Ever feel nostalgic for the days when pizza and sundaes were a special treat for kids during a babysitting job? Most of you probably remember babysitting gigs of old, where you could pig out with the kids and not feel guilty because it was a "date night." These days, with the childhood obesity trend, food scares, rising numbers of child allergies and an increase in lifestyle choices, feeding the kids has become just plain complicated.

Use the following tips to exercise control over what your kids eat — without driving your sitter up the wall.

50 Simple Ways to Make Your Baby Smarter

Infant-development experts believe that the first years of a child's life are a prime time for learning, but sometimes it may be hard to think of new ways to stimulate your baby.

This article provides fun -- and scientific -- activities that will inspire you.

Kids can be easy prey for identity thieves

Because identity theft is typically associated with financial matters like the misuse of credit cards, most people don't consider the possibility that their child's personal information could be stolen and misused. But more than 34,000 reports of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission from 2005 to 2007 concerned children younger than 18.

Because children don't have complex financial lives, there is less opportunity to notice that something has gone awry than for adults who try to access loans, mortgages and credit cards - one major factor that plays into child identity theft going undetected for years.

Learn more on protecting your child’s identity.

Our Space

With a little one on the way, it's time for you to start thinking about where all her stuff will go. But instead of designating just one space or room for it all, you can tastefully incorporate baby's furniture, toys and other necessities into your home without making it look like Romper Room.

Here are some ideas that will show you how to blend adult furnishings and traditional nursery pieces for a cohesive family space.

Safe Sippers

If you've been following the headlines, you've learned by now that many bottles and sippy cups are made from polycarbonate plastic, which contains bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic estrogen that studies have linked to an increased risk of obesity, attention-deficit disorder, brain damage, and even cancer. Safe beverage containers are made from glass, steel, or BPA-free plastics like polyethylene or polypropylene (are typically opaque or labeled with a #2, #4, or #5).

Cookie Magazine puts these toxin-free brands to the test to help you find the best.

Pregnancy Nutrition Made Easy

Pregnancy is not the time to omit any of the major food groups, such as carbohydrates, or to put yourself on a weight-loss diet. Instead, focus on developing healthy habits. If your current diet is less than stellar or if you feel overwhelmed by all the food advice directed at mothers-to-be, work with a registered dietitian to get personal, individualized nutrition instruction. There are so many vibrant, energizing, and scrumptious new foods to enjoy during pregnancy, and many women find that they stick with their improved eating habits long after their babies are born.

Read through the information in this Plum Magazine article to determine what nutrients you need and how to get them.

Biggest Toy Recalls of 2008 for Babies and Toddlers

Dangerous toys products for babies and toddlers continue to make headlines. As a parent, you need to make sure the toys your little one is playing with are safe.

This article lists the biggest toy recal s of 2008 (so far!) for babies and toddlers. Check it out to see if you recognize anything , and if you do, toss it from the toy box.

The Scoop on Day Care

A few months ago, headlines shouted that child-care centers contribute to children's disruptive behavior—an effect that lasts through sixth grade. The news, gleaned from a long-term National Institutes of Health-funded study, made lots of us nervous. Yet those headlines didn't tell the whole story (what else is new?) and perhaps didn't even tell the right one.

What did the study really reveal? Read on.

Halloween Party Planning Ideas

Are you trying to organize the best Halloween party that will be talked about for weeks after your special event? Don't fret... Here you'll find fresh tips and ideas from party planning to Halloween themes that will guarantee your guests have fun.

Mix and match these tips to fit your preference and check your haunted house or party setting over for any hazards your guests may run into. For a safe Halloween party, plan ahead and remove any possible dangers.

Make sure your little one is the best dressed baby for Halloween! Check out Kissy Kissy's adorable Halloween attire.

Start School With a Smile: What To Do When Young Children Cry About Going

At schools across America, teachers see two types of first–year students: one quickly adjusts to school and begins to enjoy it, the other cries each day at the door.

By applying some easy–to–follow guidelines outlined in this article, parents can help their youngsters belong to a very lucky group– students who start school with fun instead of fear.

10 Steps to a Green Nursery

Move over pink and blue—green is in!

New parents have plenty of options today when it comes to creating a safe and sustainable nursery for their little one.

This article presents 10 potential problems when setting up the nursery — and 10 smart solutions for avoiding them.

Shrinking packages, pricier foods fluster parents

Kids may be worried about homework, teachers and that pesky bully this school year. But parents? They're leery about lunches.

With food prices rising and packages shrinking, parents are wondering how they'll stretch their food budgets. Children are going to get an unwitting lesson in economics, analysts say, as parents change their food-buying habits to keep costs down.

This year's lunchroom will be less about convenience and more about the bottom line, said Marcia Mogelonsky, senior research analyst with Mintel International in Chicago. Parents will be shopping for deals but still wanting all the basics — fruits, veggies, proteins and fun things like chips and cookies. It won't be easy, she said.

Full article….

6 Ways to Streamline Bedtime

Moms are served a lot of mush about bedtime. It's supposed to be this golden time together, with your cherub so darling in footed pj's, sweet toothpasty breath bestowing a sleepy good-night kiss. Yes, it's delicious. But sometimes the magical moment doesn't come until the tail end of the interminable saga.

This article presents 6 ways to end bedtime battles with a nightly routine that works for your kids (and you).

Grown-ups show own bad behavior at kid parties

In this age of hyper-planned children's parties, it's not just the kid who pokes his finger in the frosting who has become a party pooper - it's his parents, too.

Occasional etiquette missteps are usually greeted with patience. Busy parents don't expect perfection from one another. But serial offenders have some parents steaming, a situation that puts their kids in an awkward position.

If you're a parent or grandparent who spends time on the preschool party circuit, here are some thoughts from the experts on how best to navigate this social scene.

Kids' Allowances: Expert-Approved Real-World Approaches

Allowances have long been an American family fixture, and for good reason. Experts say that giving kids a set sum of cash to manage regularly helps them learn to handle finances capably as adults.

What some parents have realized is that kids will do stuff for those dollars, and in today’s tough economic times, many moms and dads like the idea of teaching kids that money comes attached to obligations.
Read the full article.

Top 12 Pregnancy Fears (and Why You Shouldn't Worry)

It's only natural to worry a bit throughout your pregnancy -- after all, this whole baby thing is new, nail-bitingly unpredictable, and you just want so badly for it to go perfectly. And guess what? It usually does. Here, doctors explain the real facts about the things that freak you out most.

Read on -- and heave a huge sigh of relief.

The Magic of Play

It may seem obvious that kids need to play. Trouble is, a lot of what passes for play lately doesn't quite cut it. "Playing" organized sports, for instance, isn't child-led or open-ended -- two key traits of true play. Neither is "playing" computer games -- and today's kids spend more time with computers, TV, and game screens than on any other activity except school and sleeping. Even babies miss playtime while watching "brain-building videos," going to classes, or being dazzled by toys that do the talking (and thinking) for them.

This article presents how to help your kids have the right kind of fun -- age by age.

Go Back to School In Style with Mimi & Maggie

Ready or not, August has arrived and the time to go back to school is approaching quickly! US Magazine recently featured the hottest fashions for kids today, and one of the highlights was Mimi & Maggie's Artist Smock dress (pictured).

Be sure your little one goes back to school in style! Check out all the fashionable clothes that Mimi & Maggie offers at AtterdagKids.com.

Baby Shower Etiquette

Throwing a baby shower is an honor and lots of fun, but can also be stressful. Many people may be involved with different opinions on how the baby shower should be thrown.

This article includes some of the more common baby shower questions that are asked, and provides tips to help make your baby shower a major success.

Baby Lulu at Atterdag Kids

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Handling Unwanted Pregnancy Comments

It begins as soon as you announce your pregnancy: the unsolicited comments from family members and friends -- even strangers -- about everything from what you should be eating to which hospital has the best delivery rooms.

Here's how to say "mind your own business" nicely.

Yoga and Pregnancy

Yoga works great for pregnancy. That’s wonderful and TRUE. But do you know how?

Yoga has 5 vital tools for pregnancy. When followed together, they work wonders on your health and your capability to have a smooth pregnancy.

Smooth pregnancy and a natural childbirth are just some of the benefits of yoga. But more importantly, yoga does wonders on the physical and mental development of the foetus.

Ensuring a healthy baby is every woman’s dream and yoga helps you do just that. So what are these 5 tools?

Click here to find out.

5 Health Problems the Doctor Might Miss

It's unfortunate that it can sometimes take so much time (and so many doctors) to get to the bottom of a child's health problem. The good news? There are things that you, as a mom, can do to speed up the process.

This article discusses 5 common conditions, and how you can help the pediatrician catch them.

Baby-Care Basics: Essential Skills for Every Brand New Parent

It used to be a new mom spent several days in the hospital after giving birth learning how to take care of her baby. But today, many mothers go home exhausted 48 hours after delivery. “The teaching that used to take place during those longer hospital stays isn’t getting done, and mothers are too tired to read the discharge instructions the hospital gives them,” says Suzanne Corrigan, M.D., clinical associate professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. “If it’s just you, your husband and the baby at home, you need all the help you can get.”

As a new mom, you can circumvent this trend by asking for help, both at the hospital and at home, and by reading up before you are discharged, starting with this baby-care primer. But don’t get so anxious and bogged down in the practical details of caring for your newborn that you don’t savor the special moments that happen every day. Relax and enjoy your time together.

Read the full article.

Knocked-up Knockout Laila Ali

It's hard to keep up with Laila Ali. The boxing champ and daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali is all over the small screen these days: as a co-host for American Gladiators, a correspondent for The Early Show, and host of The N's Student Body, a new show about changing teens' lives. In a rare slow moment (she was trapped in a makeup chair and surrounded by curling irons), Laila took time to dish about her latest role: mom-to-be.

Read the full article.

14 Festive Baby Shower Games

Throwing a baby shower can be stressful – there are so many details to take care of and you want it to be just right for the mom to be and the guests.

A great way to liven up a baby shower is to play a few games, and have prizes for the winners. Parents.com consulted shower-planning gurus (and got creative) to find the best games and activities that will wow your guests.
See the list now!

The Best Babies in Hollywood: The Top 9

The Summer of the Baby is in full swing. This week alone welcomed two new arrivals from Nicole Kidman and Matthew McConaughey (not together, silly, that'd be weird). Plus, Angelina's just given birth to twins.

With so many awesome moppets, it's hard to decide which ones to love the most. So e.Online is here to help! They have boiled the A-list baby pool down to nine that sport a certain spritely magic—and not just the biggest paydays for magazine covers. We left No. 10 open for you to decide.

So which hot tots made the cut? Click here to find out.

Taming your toddler

For those times when your kid goes from zero to possessed in 60 seconds—and you feel like you're yelling at 160 decibels—top psychologist Alan Kazdin, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and child psychiatry at Yale and director of the Yale Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic, offers some soothing (and surprising) advice, gleaned from his work with thousands of patients.

Click here to read the full article.

Baby Summer Safety Guide

There you two are at the park, coated in sunblock, fully hydrated, enjoying the clouds and the birds and the swings when a bee sticks his behind in your sweetie's chubby thigh and ruins it all. So how do you keep your baby safe on the beach, at the park, and in your own backyard?

This guide provides tips so you can sidestep the season's safety traps, and find out what to do if any bees (or jellyfish or sand throwers) try to cross your path.

Baby crazy: How did a nation become obsessed with Shiloh, Suri?

Celebrity babies are hot.

With bidding for exclusive photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's unborn twins reaching a reported $15 million, gossip magazines running the latest news on their daughter Shiloh's potty training and temper tantrums (Nanny tells all!), People granting cover-story status to new moms ranging from the famously thin (Nicole Richie) to the downright obscure ("Full House's" Jodie Sweetin), we're a nation on a first-name basis with the offspring of the rich and famous.

All of which raises an obvious question: Why? Why do we suddenly care so much about the blankets-and-binkies set?

Full article...

Today's fathers are choosing to be more involved with their children

Dad, you've always been great. But now, you're so much better. The proof is in the amount of time you spend with your kids.

The typical dad devotes 6.5 hours per week to his kids, according to a University of Maryland study. That's still not as much as mom's 13 hours, but it's more than double the time fathers spent with children 30 years ago.

Obviously, much of this societal shift comes from the proliferation of dual-income households. Dad isn't the breadwinner like he was a few decades ago, so duties are split. In addition, three times as many dads stay at home than they did a decade ago. That number still has room to grow: A University of Missouri-St. Louis study found that 25 percent of married women out-earn their husbands.

Full article.....

Kids' clothes straight from the runway

Los Angeles kids are dressing more like parents these days as celebrity small pints set the fashion. In the last few years, the obsession with dressing little kids like Dogtown skaters, Malibu moms and even Upper East Side socialites has hit a new, Suri-high level.

More clothing companies than ever are producing what the rag trade refers to as mini-me clothes on every price level.

American designers are turning out Lilliputian renditions of clothes that sail down the runway each season. European design houses that have a long tradition of producing children's clothes are paying more attention to their kids wear lines. of just churning out jumpers in Burberry checks or Missoni waves, they're making children's clothes that look like grown-up togs in teeny-tiny sizes.

Read the full article by clicking here.

Visit ZaraBella.com to see the latest designer baby clothes!