Healthy Little Note: Issue #53

Hi!!

Boy do I have a great round up for you in this week's Healthy Little Note! But first I want to thank all of you for participating in my very first giveaway last week on Instagram. It was quite the success!

We gave away a Haakaa manual breast pump (to help you start that milk storage), a TwelveLittle diaper bag, a HatchRest Sound Machine, a $100 BuyBuy Baby gift card, and an ErgoBaby carrier. 

If you have some favorite things let me know! I'm always reaching out to brands for giveaways and looking for new cool things at the baby events I go to!

Now onto this week's newsletter.

This week I have for you an article on letting your littles fail (it's not as bad as you think), another great read on childhood anxiety, an article about when you can lie to your kids (what !?!), and what to do about the inevitable sibling conflict.

Let's do this!

* * *

1. DON'T CRY OVER SPILT MILK

Making mistakes is part of learning. If your little one gets upset about spilling milk when he tries to pour it himself, let's not make a big deal about it. A simple, "Whoops, let's get some paper towels and try again."

Did you know that giving kids room to fail here and there actually encourages them to be more curious and resilient?

This great article highlights research finding on failure and perfectionism and how you can help raise intrinsically motivated tiny humans. Plus, it includes the Sesame Street episode that teaches messing up is a-ok... so go download it and let your little watch!

* * *

2. COMMON FEARS AMPLIFIED

When should you really start worrying that your little might have anxiety? Find out the answer plus  6 takeaways that all parents should add to their toolkit.

From how anxiety works, to how to spot it, to how to help your little one in the moment, this NPR article is a must read. 

"Never dismiss a child's worries, no matter how irrational they may seem."

* * *

3. DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?

I'm not one to talk about religious preferences, but I thought this read was VERY interesting. Whatever your beliefs, believing in something (whether it's your God, spirit, energy, or ??) can be a good thing for your kids.

Did you know that if you don't believe in God, it can actually serve a purpose to lie to your children about it? This Wall Street Journal article talks about why it's better to lie than to tell your kids they're simply going to turn to dust! 

It definitely gave me some perspective when I got the question the other day if I believed in God. ... Just wait till you're asked where do babies come from - hahaha!

* * *

4. SIBLING WARS

If your house is anything like mine, your kids fight. Seeing who can get dressed faster to sit in a certain chair for breakfast is a race most mornings. ... And then crying because one got there first and ALWAYS sits there.

Believe it or not fights between siblings are completely normal. The good news is you're not doomed. There are actions you can take to prevent the war before it happens.

This great New York Times Parenting article discusses several tips on how to prepare for a new sibling, have one on one time, how to help resolve conflict, and more.

You might also enjoy this article I wrote a while back about sibling rivalry.

* * *

5. WHERE TO FIND ME NEXT...

On Monday January 13th from 6-7pm, I will be hosting a live newborn sleep workshop in collaboration with Hatch Collection in Brentwood.

You can find the event and register here. Plus you get a store discount AND you get to treat yourself to their Cravings Bar (my favorite part!).

Then...

On January 31st, you can find me at Beverly Hills Pediatrics for a talk on Newborn Sleep AND Younger Baby/Toddler Sleep (as young as 5mos+).  Make sure you sign up here!

Can't make these local sleep talks and wish you could? Get on the list for the next live sleep talk with me.

* * *

AND If you have some questions of your own... I've got ya - go here to schedule a FREE 15-minute call with me or Nicole, and we can chat about it!

OR as always, just reply to this email with any questions you have, and I'll be happy to answer. 

* * *

Well, that's it for this issue!

Hope you enjoyed it and I'd LOVE if you shared it with your friends on social media or spread the word on the local Mommy gossip circuit - thanks!

Susie

PS - You can send people here to subscribe to get the next Healthy Little Note!