Above all; be respectful. Be mindful of what you say and how you say it. Please remember that the tone or inflection of what is being said is easily lost online so when in doubt be doubly kind and assume the best of others.

Did previous generations do this??

I saw a post this morning of a mom asking about when everyone started allowing their children to watch Ms. Rachel for the educational/language development benefit of it. For parents wanting to avoid screen time but are interested in Ms. Rachel’s SLP approach, this is what I started doing with our 10 month old.

Essentially, we listen to the audio of her videos and I play/act out the activities or sometimes I will let her passively listen and I will sing/talk along to the audio. I started by having the YouTube videos on our TV and covering the screen with a blanket but now have been able to rip the MP3s and add them to our Yoto Player. Basically, I am the Ms Rachel; I have memorized the script and the ASL/actions from watching the videos and I perform for my baby.

Our favourite videos are “Baby Learning” and “Baby Learning 2”. I really like that these videos highlight:

First words such as mama, dada, milk, help, more, etc.
Basic sign language and gestures
Body parts
Animal sounds
Opposites (fast/slow, on/off)
Getting dressed

I also really enjoy some of the “song only” videos with letters and numbers because I think that type of repetition is important:
Phonics Song
ABCs
Counting to 20

There are so many songs/phrases we use in our day to day from Ms. Rachel! For example:
Petting our dog - “we are gentle with our pets”
Going in the elevator - “we take the elevator up and down”
Dropped something - “uh oh I dropped my toy”
Putting on clothes- “baby put your pants on”

Since I started doing this, I’ve noticed my baby has been able to do certain actions to the audio such as shake her head “no” and “waving”; hoping she will start using some sign language soon!

Has anyone else done something similar and did they find it helped curb screen time?

Are there any good resources for this? I am 14 months pp and were thinking about trying for a second after 18 months pp. I feel like pregnancy + me still breastfeeding must be draining my body. And ill admit I have not been eating as well as I would like to (little guy still doesnt sleep through the night, so im tired lol). I also have yet to get back into regular exercise, other than walking. I do still take a prenatal, but I'm wondering if there are some more nutrient dense foods I should try to start eating. What sort of nutrition would you focus on?

Our baby is about to start walking independently (9 months). She’s been walking on one hand for the past three weeks (including stairs?!?!) already. Definitely wasn’t prepared for that lol

The thing is that we live in California and are traveling to NYC and the Midwest for all upcoming holidays for a total of four weeks. It’ll be colder than ever for her and she most likely wants to do some walking. I know flexible shoes are important for early walkers but I honestly don’t know where to get winter boots that are warm (hopefully weather proof and fine for snow) and good for development. Any recommendations?

Does anyone know of any plastic-free or low-tox play mats or rugs? Replacing the carpet isn’t an option right now

I'm looking for stuff animals that don't have polyester or something similar inside but instead maybe cotton/wool/cherry pits etc. I've gotten one or two things for tiny babies from Fehn's Natur line, and a monkey from Effie but my oldest loves stuffed animals and basically wants every weird synthetic one we come across but I really don't want him cuddling them or chewing on them. So I'm looking for brand recommendations!

Has anyone used? Saw a recommendation on this sub when I searched from a year ago but haven’t seen much since.

Seems like the perfect solution for my toddler who likes my hydroflask straw, since Ello straw can be hidden but I’m wondering about cleaning/if it gets moldy.

Alternatively, are people buying one handle cups, no handle cups (and maybe a silicone handle slip on)? She likes to grab her cup and drink with one hand at the table so having a handle seems more convenient.

Anyway, thanks for any comments about the Ello kids tumbler if you have it!

ETA: this is NOT about a first toddler cup. She’s been through the “resistant/leak proof” straw phase, she just doesn’t like them anymore and enjoys the non resistant straws.

Buying things take so much time, because of all the research I have to do. I'm so tired.

I need to get better about picking and choosing what I devote my research energy too. This is the moderately granola sub after all, and I consider myself moderate. But even after culling the list of things I care about, it still takes so much time, especially since everyone is trying to sell you something.

For example, this morning I sat down at 9:30am to buy a tabletop tree for my toddler to decorate for Christmas as a toy. Then I realized that these trees are made out of plastic, and don't fall under any of the certs that I rely on to make sure that toys are safe.

Then I went down a rabbit hole of lead, pvc, flame retardants and pfas in Christmas trees. I was unable to find a solid source on modern PVC trees containing lead, but the rest seems to be a reasonable enough concern. Great, I find some PET based trees, unfortunately they probably use flame retardants.

Time to pivot, and now I'm considering wooden dowel trees. But, this will likely not satisfy my daughter as it doesn't look real enough. Also, what kind of finish is on the wood? Do a bit more research, could Goose Feather Trees be an option? But what are they dyed with? Is the dye safe?

I look up, realize it's now 10:45am. FUCK. Every single time. I have officially spent too much time on it, and looks like I'm buying nothing. Huzzah.

Tl;DR I spend too much time researching. Are we all getting stuck in this loop? Does anyone have tricks/strategies to prevent it?

hello!

i gave birth 7weeks ago to a baby at 36+2 to a 5.2 pound baby and he is now almost almost 10 pounds.

i am currently combo feeding with enfamil neuropro RTF but will be switching from enfamil due to it having corn syrup solids once baby hits 2 months.

currently i am debating between kendamil organic, kendamil classic and hipp durch combiotic once i switch to powder (am going to wean off completely before switching formulas).

I would like people's experiences if theyve tried these formulas, especially for a gassy baby that has reflux every feed but is otherwise a happy spitter.

After putting together a wishlist of more granola toys for my soon to be 1 year old, I finally pulled the trigger on some and the first order arrived today from Sarah’s Silks. I bought them all on sale (6 minis/4 full) and with shipping paid around $160 CDN. Felt like a lot (definitely feels like a lot now) but I chalked it up to being good quality and they seemed really hyped up online.

I’m so disappointed in what I got. 4 of them arrived snagged with loose threading. I was also really surprised by how thin and cheap they felt for the price. I can’t imagine paying full cost for them. As this is my first time buying I have no idea what their customer service is like but I definitely won’t be repurchasing.

I have been thrifting some fun designs but can anyone recommend another brand for solid colors?

Update: Customer Service gave an excuse that it’s the nature of silk. We went back and forth a bit and finally they agreed to refund the damaged ones.

I have to get this off my chest as a low tox mom influencer who “knows” a lot of people in the same niche.

This is the most toxic group of women who are portraying themselves as Godly women. The behind the scenes is horrific, I know too much at this point.

There are two ladies specifically who are friends in the low tox world and they are scary evil. Scary.

I hate my niche because of how much info is cherry picked for engagement and $$$.

We are approaching toddlerhood - almost 1 years old - and have not done screens beyond FaceTime with relatives. I know the official recommendation is no screens till 2 years old. That said, we are listening to Ms Rachel’s new music album as audio only and my kid loves it! I keep thinking if he saw the pictures that went with it it’d help him learn words. Thoughts? How’d other folks navigate screens and shows?

I think our house is stuffy. Every time I come home from a few days away it smells a little stale. We are in a smaller townhome in a kind of busy area and we do try to open the windows to air things out but I just want my house to smell good. I have a 6 month old so I’m not sure if there’s a safe option unfortunately. Maybe reed diffuser with a mild essential oil? Any suggestions or knowledge? Not planning to put anything in his room obviously but maybe just on the main floor which is the most trafficked.

Like the title says. I’m wondering how legit this is. The company claims they use a citrus based solution with no chemicals. I just wanted to be sure there’s nothing used that can be considered toxic. Is it possible to clean upholstery with citrus ?

My husband and I assumed that we had both come down with seasonal allergies due to upper respiratory congestion, coughing, and sore throat.

Last night, my three month old would wake up periodically with a wet cough and choking on phlegm so it appears we might have shared something viral. With the baby this young, and in your experience, what has been effective? I have started saline spray, and the nose and mouth sucker. Anything else? TYIA!

My baby has rainbow blocks from a brand called Wooden Story. They are advertised to be all natural. But the dye from the blocks, specifically the yellow one, is coming off in my baby’s mouth. I’m worried. Anyone have any insights on why this might be and what dyes might be being used here?

My cousin’s baby shower is coming up, and I am super excited because this will be my first nephew. I want to get her something that will actually be useful. She did not make a registry because she thinks family should choose gifts with heart lol, that's why im here.
So I already bought some diapers and a meal-delivery gift card, which i think useful. I am also looking at moonkie feeding sets because babies grow so fast and she will be starting solids before long. Is that something parents actually keep using, or is there another gift you wish someone had bought you instead? TIA!

I see loads of resources on Montessori and Waldorf. But our family resonates much more with the reggio Emilia approach and I find there are not a lot of resources for parents. I did not grow up that way and was hoping to find resources to help implement some of these concepts in our home life for our kiddo. Does anyone have suggestions of books or websites etc…?

Thanks

I’ve been mulling over wish list purchases for weeks now… so much research into products and what will/won’t be fun for my toddler. I’m finally releasing myself of this time sucking quest and asking you all for your opinions on the above brands.

And on a different note, any rec’s for a musical instrument set that I will inevitably regret giving them?

My kids (5 and 2) are sharing a room. My 5 year old is definitely outgrowing his toddler bed -- I'd like to move to a twin bed or possibly just jump right to a twin bunk bed (ideally with stairs, not a ladder). I can't seem to find anything reasonably priced, I'm hoping to stay at around $500 for a single bed, or $900 for a bunk situation. I found a Max & Lily option that looked good but their reviews on Reddit seem awful.

Not a momma but wonder maybe you guys know. Thank you hugely...

Also looking for inversion table I doubt there is granola advice there but in case there is please lmk!

Background & Context:

• Birth weight: 7 lbs 0.8 oz (Normal delivery)
• Current age: 5 weeks

Our Timeline & The Rollercoaster:

1. Hospital / Night 1: Started on breastmilk, but baby seemed very unsatisfied/crying non-stop. I bought Similac Pro-Total Comfort 360 and started combo-feeding (mostly formula + breastmilk).
2. Week 2: Baby developed severe reflux and colic, crying up all night. At our next midwife appointment, we discovered he gained weight fast (10 lbs, target was ~8 lbs 13 oz).
3. The Adjustment: Thinking overfeeding/formula was triggering the colic, we stopped formula, switched to exclusive breastmilk, and gave BioGaia probiotic drops (5 drops/day).
4. The Result: His reflux and colic drastically improved! However...
5. Week 5 (Today): Midwife checked his weight and he dipped to 9 lbs (Target: 9 lbs 13 oz).

Where We Are Now: Our midwife wants us to restart formula supplementation. If he doesn't hit 9 lbs 1 oz by Friday, we have to head to the hospital/pediatrician to test for nutrient absorption issues.

Questions for the community:

• Has anyone been through a similar weight gain rollercoaster with combo-feeding vs. EBF?
• If your baby had reflux/colic triggered by formula, did switching to a gentler or hypoallergenic formula (like Nutramigen or Alimentum) help with weight gain without bringing back the colic?
• Any tips on pace-feeding or managing reflux while reintroducing formula?

Mom and I are feeling pretty anxious about the constant back-and-forth and the threat of hospital tests. Any shared experiences or reassurance would be hugely appreciated!