Pediatricians, moms and authors, Laura A. Jana, MD, FAAP and Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP offer a wealth of “parent-tested, pediatrician-approved” advice in Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality, Second Edition (American Academy of Pediatrics, September 2010). Available on the American Academy of Pediatrics official Web site for parents, HealthyChildren.org. Also available in bookstores nationwide.

The following are excerpts to help you navigate those first crucial weeks of parenthood and caring for a newborn:

Following the Rules: Parenting by the Book
Nowadays it seems you can find well-defined rules about everything from feeding and sleeping schedules to dressing, diapering, and discipline. As convenient as it may seem to have someone write out for you an exact recipe for parenting success, we believe that there is not just one right way to do things. As with diapers and baby clothes, we are convinced that parenting techniques are not simply one size fits all. Our goal is to help famil- iarize you with the basics of baby care, and even more importantly to build your confidence as a parent right from the beginning during what many consider to be an overwhelming time–the newborn period. With a little knowledge and a positive attitude, you will find that you are very capable of anticipating and reasoning your way through even the most challenging aspects of what lies ahead. It’s a great feeling to find yourself comfortable enough in your parenting abilities that you don’t have to live life with a quick reference guide–ours or anyone else’s–tucked in your back pocket.

Breastfeeding Advice
What’s “Natural” Doesn’t Always Come Naturally
Yes, the act of breastfeeding is “natural,” but the truth of the matter is that it doesn’t always come naturally. All too often, new parents expect to be handed a newborn who gracefully latches on, nurses no more than 15 minutes on each breast every 3 hours, and delights in a plentiful supply of breast milk within a few short days. While we can only wish this scenario on all of you, clinging to this idealistic picture of breastfeeding bliss is all but guaranteed to set most of you up for perceived failure. If, however, you prepare yourself for the distinct possibility that your newborn may lack interest or sucking stamina, that each feeding may be different, and your nipples may be a little worse for wear early on, well then you only stand to be pleasantly surprised. The most likely scenario: Breastfeeding may be natural, but expect it to be a learning process for you and your baby. Some babies are quick learners, while others take their own sweet time.

Progressive Production
The changeover from colostrum to transitional and then mature milk is an important one. It gives you and your baby’s doctor reassurance that all is going well. Because the actual transition is not always so clear-cut, as some women notice very little change in their breasts as their milk supply increases, it is useful to be aware of several other clues that can help you figure out that everything is moving ahead as planned. They include:

* Your breast milk is white instead of yellow in color and appears thinner or clearer.
* Your baby makes more obvious gulping and swallowing noises when nursing.
* Your baby begins to pee and poop much more frequently
* Your baby no longer is losing weight or just holding steady, but instead has begun to gain weight relatively noticeably both on and off the scale.

Formula and Bottle Feeding Advice
We admit it. In many ways, feeding your baby formula may seem much easier than breastfeeding, especially in the beginning weeks. After all, you don’t have to worry about having enough of a supply, it’s rather painless (if you don’t count the sleep deprivation that comes with round-the-clock feeding), and it’s easy to monitor your baby’s intake. Granted, formula can be costly, you have to wash your supplies, and on occasion a baby will be finicky about which nipple and formula she is willing to accept, but at some point during their child’s first year, most of today’s parents end up using formula. With that in mind, we intend to give you a practical approach to formula, buying and cleaning bottles and nipples, and troubleshooting for newborns who don’t seem to play by the rules.

The Model Bottle: We’ve found that in reality, most babies go along with their parent’s taste in Bottles and there really isn’t such a thing as a single “model bottle” – one that outshines the rest. Nevertheless, we have found the following considerations to serve bottle-buying parents well:

* In general, a transparent (ie, not colored) 4-ounce bottle is the most practical choice for newborns.
* Larger (6 or 8 ounce) bottles are fine if you don’t mind using them half-full until your baby is bigger.
* Angled bottles and those with disposable nurser bags, built-in vents, or flow and control systems are said to help decrease the amount of air your baby swallows (although regular bottles held at the proper angle will also).
* Disposable bags have the added benefit of, well, being disposable; you only have to wash the nipples after each feeding.

A Bit About BPA
BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical used in many hard plastic products, including some baby bottles, and the plastic lining used in cans of ready- to-feed formula. What’s the concern? Studies have shown that this potentially toxic chemical can leach out into food and pose a potential health risk–especially to infants and young children. The likelihood of BPA contamination is thought to be greatest when BPA-containing plastics are scratched or heated, contain warm liquids or food, or are washed with harsh detergents. While the use of BPA is not yet banned in the United States, several cities and states are considering or have already prohibited its use.

The advice we have for parents? Minimize your baby’s exposure to BPA by purchasing baby bottles that are labelled “BPA-free” and consider avoid- ing plastics with a #3 or #7 recycling symbol on the bottom (since these recycling categories may sometimes include BPA-containing plastics). And lastly, check for labels that state “dishwasher safe” or “microwave safe” before placing plastic containers in the dishwasher or microwave.

*Book excerpts from Heading Home with Your Newborn (Second Edition/Copyright 2010/American Academy of Pediatrics).

The Heading Home with Your Newborn excerpts are sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer’s Network.

Our morning routine is pretty solid during back to school time. It usually includes a shower, getting dressed, getting hair done, having breakfast while I pack my daughters lunch and then time to brush teeth and we’re on our way to school.

I’ve had a few struggles at times though when it comes to brushing teeth. Whether we use regular toothpaste or children’s toothpaste I’ve heard the whines and complains that it taste yucky, or it’s too spicy, and with my youngest she still sometimes swallows it..

Lately the mornings during back to school haven’t been so much of a struggle when t comes to brushing teeth, and it’s all thanks to a new brand of toothpaste we’ve discovered called Tanner’s Tasty Paste. Tanner’s Tasty Paste come in YUMMY flavors that any kid would love, heck even some adults love it just as much.

Flavors include:
Baby Bing – a fluoride-free toothpaste with Xylitol
Cha Cha Chocolate – A delicious chocolate flavored toothpaste
Banilla Bing – A delicious vanilla flavored toothpaste

My girls absolutely loved every flavor. Although their ultimate favorite is the Cha Cha Chocolate. I didn’t try the toothpaste myself, it’s just not appealing flavors to me, I’d rather have something minty, but they did smell amazing! Like the real thing!

We’re on our last tube now and they’re hoping that we’ll get some more. Brushing teeth is no longer a struggle; it’s more of a struggle to get them to stop brushing now. Tanner’s Tasty Paste has made something not so enjoyable to my kiddos a more enjoyable experience.

You can find out more about Tanner’s Tasty Paste or purchase some for your kiddos or yourself by visiting their website at tannerstastypaste.com.

One lucky reader has the chance to win a set of Tanner’s Tasty Paste!

Mandatory Entry: Leave me a comment letting me know of the struggles you have with your kids and brushing their teeth.

(Please remember to leave a comment for each extra entry done)

~ Follow my blog publicly via Google Friend Connect (something happened with my GFC and I had to reset so please make sure your following)
~ Subscribe to my blog feed by email or reader (1 extra entry for each)
~ Follow myself and Tanner’s Tasty Paste on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily) comment with link.

You can use the following to tweet:

Win a set of Tanner’s Tasty Paste, yummy toothpaste your kids will love from @wrestlingaddict and @TannersTasty : http://bit.ly/8YykhS (9/26)

~ Post on your blog about the giveaway linking to this post.
~ Favorite me on Technorati (leave your username)
~ Follow my blog on Networked Blogs
~ “Like” A Wrestling Addicted Mommy and leave a comment on my wall letting me know you’ve entered.
~ “Like” Tanner’s Tasty Paste on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall
~ Post my blog button and/or text link on your blog (1 extra entry for each)
~ Post my Back To School button on your blog
~ Share this blog post just leave your username/link and where shared. (1 extra entry for each, this includes facebook, stumble, “like” this post, digg etc.)
~ Comment on a NON Giveaway post (1 extra entry for each)
~ Enter one of my other Giveaways going on and let me know which one it was. (1 extra entry for each giveaway entered)

Giveaway ends September 26, 2010 at 11:59pm ET and is open to those with a U.S. mailing address!!!

The winner will be chosen by using random.org. Winner will have 72 hours to respond to notification with shipping info – if no response, another winner will be chosen. Winner cannot have won a Carolina Pad within the past 90 days.

Product Review is only by the opinion of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy, other views and opinions may vary, please see my disclosure policy for more information. Product, information and giveaway items all provided from Tanner’s Tasty Paste.

So it’s started, my oldest is faking ‘tummy aches’ in order for me to keep her home from school. Too bad for her though that mommy was a master at this when she was younger, plus, she’s a super bad liar…

I figured there was some reason, she had come home from school crying the other day.

After a talk with her, I asked her why she didn’t want to go to school. Thankfully she’s pretty truthful with us and knows I’m not going to get mad at her if there’s a valid reason. She’s upset that they haven’t gone outside for recess at all this year. Granted, this is the first official week of school but still, why aren’t these children going outside?

She told me that her teacher said it was dangerously hot outside for a few days, which for one day I can see her saying that, the other day, ummm not so much. Yesterday she told the kids that it was too wet outside, um wet? From what? We got a sprinkle of rain if you can even call it that…
So what are they doing during recess time when the other classes are going out, even the Kindergartner’s are going outside? They’re sitting in the classroom watching dvd’s.

One of the reasons that my daughter came home crying the other day was because of one of the dvd’s they watched in the classroom during recess time. It wasn’t that it was scary, but it wasn’t very age appropriate for 1st graders. They watched The Wiggles…. Why was my daughter so upset with The Wiggles? First of all we’ve never been fans in this house, second of all and these are her exact words to me: “The Wiggles is for babies, we’re in 1st grade we’re not babies anymore and our teacher thinks we are. I don’t want to watch that anymore in class I want to go outside for recess!”

Honestly, I don’t blame the kid! One of the other dvd’s they watched was Arthur, and yesterday they watched Cat In The Hat. Why is my child sitting in class watching tv shows when I can keep her home to do that? Why are these kids not going outside for recess when other classes are?

When we were in school we went outside no matter what. Unless there was a heat advisory, it was raining, or it was bitter bitter cold outside we were outside for all 3 of our recess times… I mean these kids now only get 1 recess and they’re not even getting to go and have it….

My first thoughts are to talk to the teacher, maybe by email where I won’t be such a bitch about it (because lord knows I can be, I’m not happy with some of the classroom policies or the school as it is). I told my daughter that we’d see how things go for another week and if they still aren’t going outside, if they watch ‘baby’ shows again I’ll talk to her teacher…

I just don’t understand… All the other classes are going out, except theirs. Each class and each teacher go out at different times, and the teachers have to go with their class, but my daughter teacher and class just don’t go…

School is in session and besides school supplies and clothing, one thing on the top of my shopping list is back to school snacks and healthier eating options.

I always try to make sure the girls don’t just get healthy snacks and meals at home, but when they’re out and about and at school as well. I’m sure they’ll see friends with cookies and chips and other sugary unhealthy things, and once in a while they’ll have it too, but I’d rather them eat something a little better for them, besides, if their junk food isn’t in the house, that means one less thing I’ll eat that I’m not supposed to as well.

One great snack I was turned on to thanks to Family Review Network is the Pirate Brands snacks. Pirate Brands have been creating healthier, natural treasures since 1987 with the belief that you shouldn’t have to “snackrifice” taste for health…Arrr!

I got a chance to check out their Potato Flyers. Yes, they’re potato chips, but they’re baked and have half the fat and a quarter less calories than the leading potato chip brand. Although I am trying to cut carbs out of my diet, and have the girls eat less as well we all crave chips once in a while, and having Potato Flyers as an alternative are..well… YUMMY!!!

Potato Flyers are all natural, trans-fat and gluten free. They’re baked with pressure which makes them light and crispy. The chips are 120 calories for a once ounce serving, but in reality, one ounce isn’t all your going to eat… They come in 4 flavors: Original, Sour Cream & Onion, Homestyle Barbeque and Sea salt & Vinegar.

My FAVORITE flavor of chips is Salt & Vinegar, so I couldn’t wait to tear into the bag, the girls chose to try the Sour Cream & Onion. I have to say, honestly I was a little disappointed with the Sea Salt & Vinegar, it was lacking in flavor, I couldn’t taste much of the vinegar at all, and it was disappointing. The Sour Cream & Onion the girls just loved, I took a taste as well, and it was more flavorful then the Sea Salt & Vinegar but it still didn’t compare to the taste of regular potato chips.

A few days later we decided to try the other bags. Homestyle Barbeque was a welcome surprise, it was full of taste and flavor, we all loved it! The Original was just like eating regular potato chips but I did find them a tad too salty, for my taste but they were good none the less. The girls have already asked for more, and since we’re all out, I’m going to have to make a trip to the grocery store to pick up some more for snacks.

You can find out more about Potato Flyers or other Pirate Brand snacks by visiting their website piratebrands.com.

Product Review is only by the opinion of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy, other views and opinions may vary, please see my disclosure policy for more information. This post was written for Family Review Network & Pirate Brands who provided the complimentary product in exchange for my honest reviwew.

We’re back in session for school; I can say it’s been a hectic few weeks. It’s almost as soon as we returned from vacation I was forced into the stress of back to school shopping. The supplies weren’t too stressful; it was the time I had to take to go clothes shopping.

My daughter has a school uniform she must adhere to for her school, I can’t say I’m the biggest fan, I mean looking at some of the choices in some of the local stores, ugh, forget it I’m sorry but even though my kid has to wear a uniform, I’d still like it to look a bit stylish and cute for her, that’s why I’m a huge fan of French Toast’s uniforms.

Their clothing is CUTE! Its stuff I’m not ashamed to give my daughter to wear to school. The quality is great and the selection is amazing not only for girls but for boys as well. I’ve bought many French Toast outfits last year and again this year from some of the local store that I’ve found carry their brand, although they may not be the cheapest the quality is far better than some of the ‘cheaper’ uniform pieces you can purchase in other stores, and although not the cheapest, it’s still affordable.

I’ve never purchased directly from their website before, but for this review I was able to. The website has most if not all of their uniform pieces available for you to choose from to have delivered to your home, a much more relaxing experience than braving the stores this time of year. The first outfit we chose was the Two Tab Scooter Girls in Khaki and the Three Quarter Sleeve Button Blouse Girls in blue.

Shipping was pretty fast, we had our pieces within a few days, although there was a bit of a problem. Instead of sending us the Three Quarter Sleeve Button Blouse, they sent us a Short Sleeve Pique Polo Shirt, in a size 3T… This wasn’t going to work for my daughter who’s a size 7….

Once I emailed them about the mix up, they were able to send the right product right away and again were received in a timely matter. We finally had the Three Quarter Sleeve Button Blouse, in the correct size but again, we ran into another issue. Upon opening the package I noticed some sort of a spot/stain on the garment. At this point honestly I wasn’t too happy with what was going on from ordering via the website.

I emailed once again, and the next thing I knew I had a phone call. I spoke with the woman over the phone explaining what we found, and they were happy to send another item, the only issue, they were out of the blouse we originally wanted. So we chose to go with the Oxford Blouse with Darts in blue which I found in the catalog sent with the other items.

Once we received our next package I was surprised to find the blouse in both blue and white, however they were long sleeve, I guess I should have specified short sleeve, oh well finally the right item, in the right size.

We still need a few more uniform pieces and although we had a few mishaps with French Toast I can say with assurance that I’ll be purchasing online from them again as they fixed all the issues in a great, friendly and timely manner.

You can check out the great selection of school uniforms including a clearance section by visiting the French Toast website at frenchtoast.com.

One lucky reader has the chance to win two tops and two bottoms of their choice from French Toast.

Mandatory Entry: Visit the French Toast website and take a look around, then come back here and leave me a comment with at least one item you would choose if you were to win.

(Please remember to leave a comment for each extra entry done)

~ Follow my blog publicly via Google Friend Connect (something happened with my GFC and I had to reset so please make sure your following)
~ Subscribe to my blog feed by email or reader (1 extra entry for each)
~ Follow myself and FrenchToastcom on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily) comment with link.

You can use the following to tweet:

Win two school uniform outfits from @FrenchToastcom and @wrestlingaddict : http://bit.ly/anj3MQ (9/25)

~ Post on your blog about the giveaway linking to this post.
~ Favorite me on Technorati (leave your username)
~ Follow my blog on Networked Blogs
~ “Like” A Wrestling Addicted Mommy and leave a comment on my wall letting me know you’ve entered.
~ “Like” French Toast on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall
~ Post my blog button and/or text link on your blog (1 extra entry for each)
~ Post my Back To School button on your blog
~ Share this blog post just leave your username/link and where shared. (1 extra entry for each, this includes facebook, stumble, “like” this post, digg etc.)
~ Comment on a NON Giveaway post (1 extra entry for each)
~ Enter one of my other Giveaways going on and let me know which one it was. (1 extra entry for each giveaway entered)

Giveaway ends September 25, 2010 at 11:59pm ET and is open to those with a U.S. mailing address!!!

The winner will be chosen by using random.org. Winner will have 72 hours to respond to notification with shipping info – if no response, another winner will be chosen. Winner cannot have won a Carolina Pad within the past 90 days.

Product Review is only by the opinion of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy, other views and opinions may vary, please see my disclosure policy for more information. Product, information and giveaway items all provided from French Toast