Benefits of musical experiences

But studies are showing that a broad array of musical experiences can build connections in the brains of young children aged 0-6 and that these connections are vitally important for all kinds of later learning. Incorporating music into the fabric of your daily family life can bring social and educational benefits to your children in surprising ways.

• Soft music can calm and soothe children, from fussy babies to high-strung older children, serving as a stress-reducer.

• Music can help children focus attention, a necessary skill in any learning process.

• Hearing music and responding to it accelerates brain development, especially in language acquisition and reading and math skills.

• Music provides healthy ways to interact with others, both adults and peers. • Moving to music builds motor skills and allows healthy self-expression.

• Music interactions build memory skills.

• Music provides a vehicle for the expression of many emotions, especially joy.

Early brain development

Neuroscientists now believe that crucial brain development takes place in the early years between ages 0-6. These years offer a window of opportunity to build connections in the brain that will serve the child throughout a lifetime.

New connections are made in the brain based on what the child sees, hears, and touches. Music is a key way to introduce new learning experiences to your child in both fun and productive ways. We now know that children who engage in musical activities from birth to age six have a head start on social competence, cognitive skills and emotional well-being. Besides, music is fun!

Games and activities

Here are some games and activities to bring more music into the culture of your family life:

• Play music for babies and toddlers. Encourage them to sway, bounce, clap, and otherwise respond to the rhythms.

• Make up songs as you go about your daily routines. They might relate to bath or nap times, meal times or play times. “It’s time for your bath, bath, bath” to the tune of a favorite song.

• Sing familiar songs and insert silly words. “Mary had a little ____.”

• Play music and provide household items or simple rhythm instruments for your children to play.

• Learn songs to sing together as a family. These work wonders during commute times in the car.

• Sing “movement” songs to build simple dance routines. “Wiggle, hop, and turn around.”

Have fun with music because “In the first six years of life, a child’s brain develops more and faster than at any other time in life. The early experiences a child has – the things seen, heard, and touched – stimulate the brain, forming connections. Healthy brain development establishes a child’s social competence, cognitive skills, and positive emotional well-being,” according to clinical psychologist Seema Hingorrany.

Let music of all kinds form a backdrop to your daily family life. Have some musical fun with your kids and build their brainpower.

JAN PIERCE, M.Ed., is a freelance writer specializing in education, parenting and family life topics. She is the author of Homegrown Family Fun and Homegrown Readers. Find Jan at www.janpierce.net Want ten free tips on boosting your child’s reading skills? Go to www.janpierce.net. The download is free.

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Trimming your baby budget

Diapers. To save on diapers, consider switching to cloth. Modern cloth diapers are easy to use and come in cute designs. The initial cost is typically $10-$20 per diaper, but they can be reused for years. If cloth diapers aren’t for your family, there are still ways to save money on disposable diapers. Check manufacturer websites for high dollar coupons and combine with store sales. Generic diapers are another great way to save and they typically are comparable to name brand.

Formula. Breastfeeding is not always an option for families for a variety of reasons and formula is pricey. Coupons and rebates are readily available from the manufacturer. Go to the manufacturer’s website and sign up for additional coupons and have friends and family do the same. You can also ask your obstetrician and pediatrician for free formula samples.

Baby gear. Car seat, stroller, high chair, bouncer, swing, and more. There sure is a lot of gear for someone so small and it seems each item costs $100, often more. It’s wise to buy a new car seat that meets current safety standards but all the other items can be purchased gently used and later sold again when your family no longer needs them.

Baby clothes. Babies grow fast, so it doesn’t make sense to spend a lot on several cute baby outfits when your child outgrows them only a few weeks later. Consider buying gently used clothing and/or asking friends for hand me downs. If you want new items, buy less than you think you will need because they are used for only a short time.

Child care. To save money on child care, you have to get creative. Ideas include having a family or friend watch the baby at a lower rate, trading babysitting with another family, or alternating shifts with your partner to reduce time in child care. Some companies offer flexible spending plans to pay for child care with pre-tax money.

Trimming other areas

Wardrobe. The key to saving money on adult clothing is to shop for versatile pieces that can be worn many different ways. A solid color top can be worn with jeans, slacks, or a skirt and paired with a scarf, necklace, or jacket, or worn alone for a variety of looks. Once you have your key pieces, only buy clothing when you really need it.

Food. There are several ways to cut costs in this area. Purchasing groceries with coupons, on sale, or generic brands can save money. Also, consider making items from scratch and eating out less to help trim your food budget. A quick Google search will provide you with several $5 meals ideas.

Entertainment. Just because a new baby is in the house doesn’t mean that you have to stop enjoying entertainment, but you might need to approach a night out in a new way. You do not have to go without movies, concerts, or area attractions, but you should check deal sites to see if there are any options available to you. This will require planning ahead to make sure it fits into the budget and that you have child care covered, if necessary. Also consider if items like cable or streaming subscriptions are necessary. Choose to pay for the entertainment you use and enjoy.

Reduce. Our homes are filled with items we rarely use. Consider selling these items to put extra cash in your hand that can be used for all those new baby expenses. Have a garage sale, utilize consignment sales, or sell items in online marketplaces.

Trim expenses. Look at the family budget and evaluate where you can easily trim expenses. Do you belong to a gym, have club memberships, subscriptions, or other monthly bills that you do not use enough to justify the expense? Discuss with your partner whether some of these items can be cut to free up the money for other expenses.

DIY. A simple way to save money is to do things yourself. Cleaning and lawn services are nice but expensive. Taking care of it yourself is free. Try it yourself first and save the money you would have spent on labor.

Bringing home a new baby is an adjustment in many ways and financial priorities may have shifted in your family. In time, you will adjust to your new lifestyle and budget and you will feel comfortable with budgeting after baby.

SARAH LYONS is a stay-at-home mom of six children, including two-year-old triplets. She has learned to cut costs and save money in a variety of ways over the years as they added to their family.

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Keep your focus

There are many reasons a mom will be put on bed rest, but most often, it is because of the risk of pre-term labor. Focus on the goal, which is allowing baby to grow as long as possible. Reminding yourself of this will help keep you going each day.

Keep a record

Many moms find that writing in a journal or starting a blog is therapeutic. Record your thoughts and feelings about pregnancy, as well as what is going on that day. Take pictures to document the pregnancy. After the birth, you will have a record to look back on.

Keep entertained

Many hospitals are equipped with free wi-fi for patients to use. This comes in extra handy while on bed rest. Catch up on your TV shows, read books or magazines, watch movies, do some Internet shopping, play games on your phone or tablet, scroll through Facebook or Pinterest, and research the best car seat for baby. Utilize any form of entertainment to pass the time.

Keep resting

The adage: “Enjoy sleeping now because when baby comes you will wish you could sleep more.” is very hard for most moms to hear when they are forced into bed rest. However, it is a common saying because it is true. Rest is best for baby and mom. Try to make the most of it while you can.

Keep comfortable

Create a comfortable space wherever you are resting. At home, keep snacks, water, books, and other items close at hand so you don’t have to be up and about during the day. Bring comforts from home to the hospital. Items like blankets and pillows, pictures of family, and any favorites that make you feel more comfortable will ease the time you spend at the hospital.

Keep busy

This is the time to catch up on the things you never have time to do. Try beauty maintenance such as painting your fingernails or plucking your eyebrows. Teach yourself a new skill like knitting or crocheting using free tutorial videos online. Finish the thank you cards from your baby shower. Anything to pass the time.

Keep a routine

Wake up at approximately the same time daily, shower, get dressed, eat meals at the same times, and do basically the same activities each day. Keeping a simple daily routine will help time pass and help create a sense of normalcy. If you are working, get a laptop and keep up with your work from your home or the hospital bed.

Keep a positive perspective

It is hard not to get down when you see the same four walls day in and day out, sometimes for weeks on end. Keep telling yourself “You can do it!”. Take each day as it comes and keep pushing yourself toward your goal. Remind yourself this is temporary and will be worth it in the end. Someday this will all be a distant memory.

Keep a support system

A strong support system is key to surviving bed rest. Encourage friends and family to visit as much as possible. Having people around to talk to does wonders to raise spirits for a mom on bed rest. If family and friends offer to help by bringing meals, caring for older children, or doing housework, accept the help.

The main thing to remember while on bed rest is that it will end. Each day the baby stays in utero is less time baby will spend in the NICU. Take one day at a time and try to remain positive. Soon enough, you will be holding your baby in your arms.

How to Survive Hospital Bed Rest

Hospital bed rest is a totally different experience than resting at home. The four walls of a hospital room can feel like a prison after looking at them for days and weeks on end. Here are some ways to survive hospital bed rest.

Sleep. Often, it’s hard to get a good night’s sleep in the hospital. Taking naps throughout the day is healthy for mom and baby and passes the time.

Accept visitors. If someone offers to visit, accept their offer. It’s always nice to have someone new to talk to.

Comforts. Bring as many comforts from home as you can. Having a favorite pillow or photos of loved ones can do a lot to encourage you.

Go for a ride. Ask if you are allowed to go for a ride in a wheelchair. A change of scenery, even for a few minutes, can make a big difference.

Throw a party. Ask friends or family to bring dinner to you. Watch a movie together or just chat. Make it a weekly event so you have something to look forward to.

One day at a time. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when the days are long and boring. Try to take one day at a time and remain positive. Each day that passes is allowing baby to grow bigger and stronger.

SARAH LYONS survived five weeks on bed rest prior to the birth of her triplets in 2014.

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Why make your own?

There are lots of products available to parents of little ones, including baby food blends, squeeze pouches, and puffs that take the guesswork out of feeding babies. These products are easily accessible in a variety of flavors, and almost all are available as USDA certified organic products. Why, then, make your own baby food? Our family chose that route to save money. Even though many of these products are $1-$3 each, babies go through lots of food when they are just beginning to eat solids, particularly after they reach the one-year- old mark. We were able to create baby food squeeze pouches and small containers of food for much less per serving than anything we could find at the grocery store. Buying fruits and vegetables in season and freezing them in easily accessible small containers made it possible for us to feed our baby fresh, whole, organically grown food.

Another reason families choose to make their own baby food is so that they know exactly what they are putting into their children’s bodies in terms of nutrition. “Jarred baby food is cooked at high temperatures in order to preserve its shelf life, which removes many of the nutrients and can change the taste of the food,” explained Ashley McLean, a Naples mom of three. “I love that I’ve been able to give my babies whole food nutrition, and that their taste buds are growing accustomed to what the rest of our family is eating.”


Making baby food also is gentle on the environment. Reusable container systems (either specifically made for baby food or regular food storage) offer eco-conscious parents the opportunity to reduce the amount of waste created. Additionally, parents using whole foods to feed their babies are not relying on others to make, process, and ship food; rather, they are completing this process themselves. Making baby food is, in short, an efficient use of resources overall.

Homemade purees created out of what your family already is eating allow your baby to get used to the taste of your family’s food and makes the transition from purees to table food easier. Pureed broccoli, bananas, avocado, spinach, and sweet potatoes are staples in our home – our daughter was already accustomed to the taste of those foods before we put them on her plate in their whole form.

Tips and tricks

As parents, many of us need ways to make our lives easier, not more complicated. Making your own baby food on a regular basis would seem more time consuming and difficult. But here are some tips from local families to make the process manageable.

• “When my boys were babies, I made big batches of soup for our family. I would puree portions for them. It made it easier on me to only have to make one meal.” Freedom Teague, Naples.

• “I made a lot of smoothies for my kids when they were babies and put them in sippy cups. I made steamed zucchini, spinach, and banana smoothies, and I always tried to be sneaky and add in leafy greens whenever possible. ” Therese McLean, Naples.

• “I used two books with my first: The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet by Karin Knight and Ruggiero and Starting Solids by Annabel Karmel. With my second, we didn’t do purees for very long; she ended up eating mostly what we ate.” Jenna Shaffer, Naples.

• “I take whatever fruits or vegetables we are eating that meal and blend them up for my babies.” Sally Carpenter, Naples.

• “The Vitamix blender is the best; it can make baby food, soups, and smoothies; it makes life easy when trying to accommodate an entire family.” Skye Leber, Naples.

• “When babies get bigger, make big batches of baby food and freeze them in tiny mason jars; they’re much bigger and more convenient than ice tray portions.” Adriana Gammiero, Naples.

• “Rather than making purees, we fed my daughter soft foods we already had in the house – bananas, avocados, peas, steamed vegetables, etc.” Ashley Justice, Naples.

• “The Beaba Babycook Pro is life-changing. We make purees of all kinds and freeze in ice cube trays. We keep the cubes in freezer bags in the freezer. My son loves everything because we just blend up whatever we make for dinner.” Amy McGowan, Naples.

• “The website wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com was really helpful. I got silicon ice cube trays to freeze purees. They’re a lot easier than plastic trays to get baby food out once frozen.” Sandra Jean, Naples.

Taking it one step further

For families in Southwest Florida looking to take advantage of our extended growing season and who want to be even more eco-friendly and self-reliant, building and maintaining a backyard garden is a no brainer! Emily Denlinger and her fiancé, Gabe Green, planted a large vegetable garden in their backyard after the birth of their son. “We started a vegetable garden after Wilder was born (now 14 months old). We spend time in it with him every day. He loves digging in the dirt and helping water the plants. We feed him some of the food we harvest, but I want him to make the connection that we are growing food. Occasionally when we are playing in the garden, I let him pull off a piece of kale or lettuce leaf and take a bite,” Denlinger said.

Josh and Alex Chaney have two girls, Willow (two) and Charlie (seven months) and wanted to make fresh, whole food nutrition available to their children from the very beginning.

“We’ve begun our own garden with lots of veggies and some fruits that Willow loves to tend. It’s pretty cool to see her learn the process of growing food rather than buying it at the store. One of her favorite activities was collecting cherry tomatoes,” Alex Chaney said.

However you choose to feed your babies, know that there are options and ways to make it even easier on yourself. Enjoy your meals together as a family this summer.

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