With a newborn in the house, I am now having to think back to all the important developmental milestones. One of the earliest ones is tummy time.

Why is it important?

The recommended sleep position for babies is on the back. This is relatively new i.e. since the mid-90’s . With this new position there has been a marked reduction in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is the good news. There has also been a notable increase in cranial asymmetry or “flat head” because babies are spending so much time on their back and their skulls are soft.

Tummy time gets babies off their backs and helps strengthen neck muscles, which is important for crawling, rolling, sitting, and eventually standing.

Advantages of Tummy Time

- Helps gross motor skill development: once on their tummies babies will flail and kick, exercising large motor muscles

- Helps fine motor skill development: by reaching out and grabbing a nearby toy or something of interest

When?

-  Some experts recommend thirty minutes a day. If baby is not happy during tummy time, this can be broken up into shorter segments throughout the day

- Tummy time should be done when the baby is content i.e. clean diaper, alert, not hungry.

- Build up slowly. The first session will be shorter, but eventually you can reach the 30 minutes.=

Some Tips

- Make it Fun. Babies often get frustrated or bored. Put a toy within reach. Get down with baby and sing songs or make faces, and engage with baby. You can even put baby on your tummy.

- Pamper Baby. If you have hardwood floors, use a mat with extra padding for those tender knees and hands.

- Create a Natural Environment. Concerns about off-gassing and exposure to chemicals can be addressed with organic fabrics and products.

- Keep it Safe. Make sure pets and young children cannot access baby. If baby falls asleep, make sure to turn her over to the recommended back position

Check out Go-La Rolla’s portable play mat, designed specifically with baby’s development in mind with organic eco-chic fabrics, tummy time ruffle and toy loops to attach favourite toys.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

Share your experiences or any tips with our readers.

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural, Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

Before kids, we traveled all the time. When we had the first one, we modified travel but still kept it up. Switching from trekking and adventurous, remote locations to more developed, clean, family-accommodating destination like the Caribbean, the US, Canada where health care is readily accessible and vaccinations and a host of health implications don’t pose barriers. With the dollar basically at par, North America is wide open. But now with two, a baby and a toddler, we definitely need to plan ahead.

Some quick tips.

Connecting with the New Family

Babies can throw toddlers for a lurch. What better way to help them adjust than to spend uninterrupted quality time as a family? Once everything is cleared health wise with baby, and you are up for it double check with you health care practitioner and set off.

Consider visiting family out of town. This may offer extra support during the newborn transition and having all the amenities of a home (fridge, laundry etc) definitely make it easier.

Planes

1. Budget extra time. Things always take longer with children. I always hated getting to the airport two hours early, and the time seemed to drag. Now with kids, and diapers and feeding and playing, without that time, there is now way we would ever board!

2. Book a bassinette well in advance and double check with the airline. Some airlines don’t guarantee but will put a note in your file to place you in the bulk head, where the bassinettes are snapped in after take-off. When you check-in reconfirm. The bassinette is wonderful, allowing baby to continue to sleep and maintain a schedule and creating more space for the rest of the family. And of course the extra leg room and getting served first is wonderful.

3. Bring extra blankets, padding etc. Some airlines offer amazing cushiony bedding for the bassinette while others are very basic. Make sure you have enough to make your infant comfortable. Also, if your toddler doesn’t have their own seat, you will need to accommodate for that also. Blankets and pillows are hot commodities on planes.

4. Normally you don’t get extra luggage allowance for non-paying seats i.e. anyone under two. Most airlines will allow you to check in1-2 extra items for a baby ranging from stroller to car-seat to playpen. Strollers, if small enough, can be taken right to the gate, which is handy. Before packing, I definitely recommend inquiring with the airline. Try and keep the suitcases as light as possible, so that your baggage allowance can be used for the essentials inside. Duffle bags with wheels are a great option since they are light-weight, can be wheeled and offer tons of space.

Cars

Ensure that your car seats are safely installed, that your toddler has enough toys, books (or even DVDs) to distract them if it is a long drive. I also find that playing kids music and using the car ride to sing a long works wonders. If possible, have one parent spend some time beside them, to read. Also, pack water, and snacks, so you don’t have to make extra stops along the way.

If your toddler is toilet training, take one of those portable pottys – some models fold flat making it easy to pack and snap open to fit on a toilet seat or on the ground with a bag. The flexibility is great.

If you have travel tips, please share them with us and our readers.

Happy Travels from Go-La Rolla!

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural, Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

Toddler Talk

If you’re anything like me, as soon as your baby was born you couldn’t wait for their first words, first sentences and even first real conversation.  But talking toddlers take time and effort; it’s not something that happens over night. I thought I would share some strategies with parents who want to hear more from their little ones, especially those who seem to be taking their time speaking.

I have found that there are 5 key things to keep infants or toddlers learning and speaking.

1.   Play, Play, Play and Play

Getting down on the floor at their level and spending some quality time playing with your child is the surest way to strengthen their language skills as well as strengthen their bond with you.   Doing things such as explaining what you’re playing with, the colour of toys and whether things are moving or going up or down will introduce key words to your infant or toddler. The tried and tested method of holding your child and singing or reading to them also introduces words

2.       Talk at or just above your child’s language level

Usually children can understand more than their vocabulary allows and they have a bank of words yet to make an appearance. The theory here is that you want to challenge a child’s comprehension, support his ability to interact, and facilitate his ability to respond, at the same time.  Communicating with your child in way that will generate a response from them is an important first step.  Simple sounds are the easiest to start with (e.g “ba” “ma” “da”) and then transition to simple words such as ball, dad etc.

3.       Repetition makes perfect

Repeating key words or phrases over and over again help in establishing the neuropathway in a baby’s mind so that eventually their words will come flooding out.  Learning to speak is the same as any other skill; it takes extraordinary practice to get it right.   Saying key words or phrases over and over again while allowing your child to do the same will help in establishing a broader vocabulary.

4.       Use Signs, gestures and pictures

Helping a late talker speak through the use of signs, pictures and gestures is extremely effective. Sign language gives them the freedom to express their most basic needs and wants without applying the pressure for them to learn words. The words will come eventually and signing serves as a bridge between gesturing words and saying them. Once toddlers or infants begin to say a few words, pictures and other visual tools are a way to open the language floodgate.

5.       Stay supportive and positive

Waiting for the moment your child speaks can feel like a long journey. Staying supportive by encouraging all small sounds and words as well as staying positive will go a long way.

Best wishes from Go-La Rolla to you and your children’s health!

www.golarolla.com / email at info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,

Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

As I am due in a couple of weeks, I really wanted to have my 23 month old toddler out of diapers. I was trying to avoid having two children in diapers. So we embarked on the three day adventure…

We threw out the diapers. We did a little ceremony explaining he was a big boy now. We showed him his cool new Bat-Man underwear and began.

First Day

The first time he looked alarmed as he wet his underwear and almost cried. With reassurance we cleaned him up, changed him and explained that he should tell us when he had to go. By noon we had gone through eight pairs of underwear! Who knew that they tinkled so much? No sign of registering that he should tell us when he had to go. Instead, he laughed at the trickle down his leg, or the puddles on the floor. A couple of times we were fast enough to get him on the toilet.

During nap time, he soaked himself and slept through it. Still determined we continued with a smile. The first night, I got up three times to change his sheets and in the early morning, exhausted, we continued…

Second Day

More of the same. No sign of progress. I kept reminding myself that it was only three days. That it was worth it. That soon it would click.

It didn’t.

Third Day

The nap and the night were wet and tiring for all of us and so by the third morning, I gave up. Perhaps this was the mistake, but we did have little wins to celebrate.

The Good News

Not all was lost, because now he tells us when he has gone number two, and when we should change his diaper. He also seems to be cognizant of wearing a diaper, which I believe is progress.

 What would I do different?

- Maybe wait until the child is older and can grasp the concepts more thoroughly. Some people have had great success with the three day method with two and a half year olds.

- Modify the night so it’s not so dramatic i.e. use pull-ups. Sleep deprivation + pregnancy + cranky toddler make it harder to be cheerful and patient for day two and three.

- Transition to pull-ups so they assert a sense of  independence and control. We are trying this and it seems to be working

I would love to hear from you with any tips and your experiences. We will keep persevering and will keep you posted.

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural, Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

Potty Talk

My son is almost two years old and I am expecting another baby in a few weeks. The thought of changing two sets of diapers while being sleep deprived and nursing is overwhelming and so we are taking the potty plunge and toilet training next week.

I have done a lot of research including talking to many parents about what works best and the fastest and most effective method. I have heard crazy things from letting your child run around naked for a week so that they are grossed out about feeling pee and poo run down their legs; to sitting them on the potty when they normally go, waiting and hoping for the best to making potty time a fun time with books and games. Everyone I ask has a different and sometimes a wacky suggestion.

A few of my friends have recommended a three day method that seems to resonate best with me. It’s based on positive reinforcement and praise and best of all it works after three days. They swear by it.

Three Days to Being Diaper Free:

1. Take three days off to dedicate to your child and keep them in close proximity for the full 72 hours.
2. Throw away all diapers. Some of my friends have made a ceremony of this with their child. The point is to make them feel like they are transitioning to being a big child
3. Put on the big boy or big girl underwear. No pull-ups or diapers any more. (My husband is really dreading this at night, but my friends say this is key)
4. Remind your child constantly to tell you when they have to go pee or to the potty. Avoid power struggles. Watch them closely and every time they have to go, run them to the washroom.
5. Reward and Praise for every time they go, even a little, in the potty. Never criticize or chastise
6. Stay positive and be patient and expect lots of accidents

Some Tips:

1. We have bought two dozen pairs of underwear. Half are one size too big for him.  After the training we will wash and put them away for when he bigger
2. The dollar store has lots of great cheap rewards for when he goes in the potty. I picked up stickers and balls and bubbles
3. Get high fibre cookies, bars, cereal to avoid constipation
4. Get your spouse or partner on board! This is key for your three day adventure.

I will keep you posted. If I have time between accidents and running  to the washroom, I blog as we go along. If not, we will see you on the diaper-free side.

Please Share Your Insights!

I would love to hear from you with any tips and your experiences.  Wish me luck as I embark on this potty adventure!

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural, Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

Food allergies can change the way we shop, eat and cook.  For instance, my son is severely allergic to eggs, milk and all nut products; this makes coming up with a snack difficult and let’s be honest, annoying.  Unlike most families, we are not able to rely on kid staples such as yogurt, cheese or even a perennial kid favourite cookie.  My son’s allergies have changed our lives, we now eat more conscientiously, (no junk, no preservatives) but we have also had to give up some of our family favorites like peanut butter and real ice cream.

But I suppose every cloud has a silver lining, I’ve spent the last yearformulating recipes for foods that work for kids with allergies.  Periodically I will be sharing them with our readers and would love any feedback you might have.   But first, it’s important to provide some tips on how to keep your kids safe from allergens.  

Keeping your child safe

Most parents don’t think twice about playdates, birthday parties, or even vacations.  But for parents of kids with severe allergies, simple things like a playdate can cause stress and raise fears of another emergency room visit.  It isn’t fun.  In fact, a study by the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) found families living with a food-allergic child suffer more emotional stress than those with children who have epilepsy or asthma.  I thought I would provide a few tips to help keep your kids safe from allergens

1. Practice avoidance: No amount, even trace, of the allergen is acceptable. Most food allergy sufferers can stay healthy without medication through careful food management.
2. Read labels: Take time to scrutinize food labels. Learn alternate names for your allergen. For example, a product containing dairy products may list them as milk, but also casein, whey, hydrolysates, lactose, and lactalbumin
3. Have a plan: Know when to give an antihistamine or epinephrine, and when to call the doctor. Put this plan in writing and update it when needed.
4. Create advocates: Parents, teachers, caregivers and the child must work together to prevent reactions. Contact restaurants, hotels and resorts in advance of your visit and ask to speak to the kitchen staff. Often you’ll find they are willing to prepare foods that meet your needs.
5. When in doubt, don’t eat it. If you are unsure whether the food will cause a reaction, turn it down.  Teach your child to say no to foods that they are unsure of.

Recipe #1: Happy Cake

It was my son’s birthday earlier this year and the realization that he wouldn’t be able to eat birthday cake on his birthday set in. I found this to be so incredibly sad, kids live for their birthdays and the moment they blow out the candles on the cake they chose is so special.  Birthday celebrations are also important to the whole family, don’t we all measure out growth, and progress with each birthday?  This recipe was born out of my search for an egg free, milk free and nut free cake. I hope you enjoy it:

Cake Batter

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup fine semolina

2 tbsp baking powder

¾ cup of vegetable oil or shortening

1 ¼ cup soy milk

1 tsp vanilla

½ tsp cinnamon

½ cup raisins (optional)

Cake Icing

4  cups powdered sugar (1 pound)

2  Tbsp water, milk, soy milk, or rice milk

1 cup shortening

1 tsp clear vanilla extract

Food coloring (optional)

Cake Instructions:

1. Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix (flour, sugar, semolina, baking powder,  cinnamon)
2. Combine  and mix all wet ingredients (fat, milk , vanilla essence) Add wet ingredients to dry  and let the mixture sit for 15 mins
3. Pour into baking pan or pans if making a tiered cake and bake at 350 for 40 mins

Frosting Instructions:

1. Cream all ingredients. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.
2. Frost cake when it is cool

Go-La Rolla cares about what you think, please feel free to comment on this blog or the recipe.

Looking forward to hearing from you and best wishes to you and your children’s health,

www.golarolla.com

Email at info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,

Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby

After receiving so much great feedback from my last blog on asthma and allergies, I thought I would write some more about the topic.  I’m learning more and more about asthma and allergies as my son grows.  It seems that as constrictive as asthma is it is also quite fluid in that a child’s asthma changes with the seasons. This means that care and preventative care must also be altered with each season.  As we approached summer, my son seemed to be getting better; however, he did have an asthma attack that seemed to come from nowhere. We later found out that a change in seasons triggered it.

Spring & Asthma

Spring is a beautiful time of year; for those of us that live through harsh winters it feels like an awakening of sorts.  We are able to go outside and enjoy the sun, and watch trees and flowers bloom. But as idyllic as this seems for most of us, spring can be difficult for asthmatics.  For those with allergies, pollen can trigger a running nose, sneezing, wheezing or coughing; when these symptoms are not controlled it can quickly lead to an asthma attack in most children.  Kids with asthma and allergies may also have what are known as the allergic salute, where they rub their noses upward because of itching and have allergic shiners(are dark circles under the eyes).  In order to make life a little easier, you can manage your child’s exposure to pollen by doing some of the following:

• Keep windows closed prevent pollens from drifting into your home
• Minimize early morning activity when pollen is usually emitted-between 5-10 a.m.
• Keep your car windows closed when traveling.
• Stay indoors when the pollen count is reported to be high, and on windy  days
• Take a vacation during the height of the pollen season to a more pollen-free area (eg . beach or sea)
• Machine dry bedding and clothing. Pollen may collect in laundry if it is hung outside to dry
• See your family physician for recommendations on anti-histamines that are appropriate for your child

Summer & Asthma

School is out; kids are home and it’s time for vacation! Sounds amazing but for a large number of children suffering from summer allergy induced it’s a difficult season.  Summer is when common triggers result in symptoms such as running nose, sneezing, wheezing, and coughing.  When grasses start to green and grow, it’s a sign that summer allergy-induced asthma is about to begin. The most common summer allergens, or triggers, are grass pollens. Toward the end of summer weed pollens begin to become a problem. They tend to be at their highest levels during late summer and fall. Some common weed allergens are: Ragweed, Cockle weeds, Pigweed, Russian thistle, Sagebrush, Tumbleweed. As with spring, it’s important to take the same preventative measures.

Fall & Asthma

The onset of fall can mean a break for those suffering from summer allergy induced asthma (due to reduced pollen counts), but early fall can be one of the worst times of year for some allergy and asthma sufferers. The most common early fall allergens is ragweed.   Another type of allergen that is most active during the fall are mold spores.  Mold can grow both inside and out, so it can be an indoor asthma trigger, as well as an outdoor asthma trigger.  Unlike pollen, molds do not have a specific growing season. Their growth is related more to environmental factors, such as heat, wind and humidity.  To help manage asthma in the fall, here are some tips:

• Pay attention to pollen and mold counts
• When pollen and mold counts are high, stay indoors as much as you can
• When you’re indoors or in the car, keep the windows closed
• Avoid fallen leaves (mold spores love the damp, dark conditions eg.  a pile of fallen leaves)
• Avoid working with damp, moist soil in gardens or potted plants.
• Avoid mold growth indoors with vigorous cleaning.
• Use exhaust fans to help with ventilation in humid areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
• Keep carpets and rugs out of bathrooms, basements, and kitchens

Winter & Asthma

Winter is the season when indoor allergens are most dangerous for kids suffering from asthma as they spend more time indoors.  Some common indoor allergens are; dust mites, animal dander, indoor molds and insect and mouse allergens.  In addition to this, irritants can cause symptoms such as running nose, coughing, wheezing and sneezing.  Common irritants are cold outdoor air, smoke from wood fires and secondhand tobacco smoke. The good news is that there are some actions you can take to minimize the impact of indoor allergens:

• Pay attention to weather forecasts. When its  dry and cold or wet and rainy, stay indoors
• Maintain a clean environment. Vacuum or dust to keep dust mites and allergens from settling.
• Avoid having wood fires in the home if you are sensitive to smoke.
• Visit your family physician for recommendations on taking an inhaled steroid.

Best wishes from Go-La Rolla to you and your children’s health!

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,

Canadian made, play & pamper products that are best for baby

Eating Disorders and Kids: Why we Need to Pay Close Attention

Sometimes my 2 year old toddler refuses to eat. Sometimes this last for 2 meals in a row.  Sometimes for 2 consecutive days. A close friend of mine’s seven year old child is overweight and snacks all the time. This got me thinking and researching about eating and children and how to raise them to be healthy and have a healthy awareness and appreciation for food.

EDNOS: A catch all acronym

A recent article published last month in Paediatrics by a paediatrician who teaches at Stanford University sets out her findings of a study to compare the medical severity of patients with bulimia, anorexia or EDNOS. EDNOS stands for “eating disorder not otherwise specified.”  Children with EDNOS often suffer from severe medical problems though they don’t receive the treatment that they require. They are missed because they don’t meet a specific condition’s criteria as set out in theStatistical Manual for Mental Disorders.

An example of someone who would be categorized with EDNOS is a child within a normal weight range but who exhibits all the symptoms of anorexia; or a child who has a regular menstrual period but otherwise meets all the criteria for EDNOS.

In the study, when measuring the medical severity of the children suffering from EDNOS, it fell between those with anorexia and bulimia in most criteria examined.

Causes

Some suggest that living in a dysfunctional family may trigger eating disorders. This is the child’s way of controlling what happens to their bodies, since they can’t control the physical or sexual abuse. It’s their way of trying to “disappear.” Others suggested causes include that children may turn to food for comfort if they aren’t getting the attention that they need at home; or if they are not allowed to express their emotions; if parents obsess about weight and dieting or are preoccupied with weight and body image; and social pressure as exerted by media and external sources or perceived requirements to succeed in a sport or activity

The Good News

Work is being done regarding expanding the criteria for eating disorders in the new forthcoming Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. Those in the field are aware of the limitations of the diagnostic criteria that is currently in use. The goal would be for fewer people to fall into the EDNOS criteria.

Tips on Building a Healthy Household

1. Set a good example yourself by eating healthy and exercising.

2. Remember that your child instinctively will eat when hungry and stop when full. Never force them to stay at the table and clean off their plate. This can create resentment and an unhealthy relationship with food. Also remember that diets are not suitable for young children. Their bodies need fat. Instead focus on healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.

3. Ensure that your child has sufficient exercise. Encourage them to be active and spend less time in front of screens. Find an activity that the whole family can enjoy, like walking or jogging, or throwing the ball, or riding bikes outdoors in the summer. Stress the benefits of exercise in terms of maintaining a healthy and strong body , as opposed to a form of weight control.

4. Love your children unconditionally. Spend time with them. Focus on who they are as opposed to how they look. Pay attention to them. Give them a hug and tell them that you love them for who they are inside and out.

5. If your child shows signs of turning to food for comfort or an unhealthy eating patterns, try to get to the root (emotional) cause by sitting down and talking with them. Really listen. If you are worried, seek professional help immediately to rule out physical or psychological illness.

Best wishes from Go-La Rolla to you and your children’s health!

www.golarolla.com.

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,

Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

Vitamin D and Your Children: What is all the hype about?     

In the news lately there has  been some discussion about Vitamin D and the general deficiency in North America including because of the higher latitude, a propensity to be indoors and increasing use of sunscreen. To be honest, until I had my son, I never gave it much thought, but since my pediatrician recommended giving Vitamin D drops daily since he was an infant, the topic seems to have exploded.

The lack of vitamin D is especially concerning for adults and children living north of 37 degrees latitude. Between November and February, very little, if any vitamin D can be synthesized through the skin.  All of Canada is north of 37 degrees latitude and part of the US is also.  A recent Canadian survey estimated that over 1 million people in Canada do not have sufficient vitamin D levels in their blood. Others suggest that this number is much higher. One source suggests that 97% of Canadians are vitamin D deficient at some in the year[1] and worldwide 1 billion people are short on vitamin D.

How We Get Vitamin D

Did you know our own bodies can produce vitamin D, but requires exposure to the sun and in particular the UV-B rays? The only other source is from diet, and in particular from fish, eggs and some mushrooms. In addition, you can of course give your child supplements, which is what is recommended especially for starting with breastfed infants.

The Benefits of Vitamin D

For a long time. it was thought that the benefits of Vitamin D were its effect on calcium and bone i.e. we were always told that it was helpful for osteoporosis prevention. Now scientists are discovering many other benefits of Vitamin D such as enhancing our immune system, protecting against the risk of developing diabetes, asthma and allergies. There is also suggestion that vitamin D might improve muscle strength and may have an effect on reducing tumor growth associated with cancer; as well as having a positive effect on cognition, and may reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis.

In fact, even consumption of vitamin D by a pregnant woman may have protective effects on the child. One study suggested that intake of vitamin D throughout the pregnancy reduced the incidences of child wheezing measured at the age of three.

As encouraging as all these studies, we need to be careful since most of the research is observational and cannot identify a true relationship between cause and effect yet.

So How Much Vitamin D Do We Need?

The truth is that nobody really knows yet.

Many variables affect how much vitamin D you and your children need such as: age, general health, body weight, skin colour, percent of body fat, season and sunlight exposure, where you live, diet etc. In general, the elderly need more than the young, big or heavier more than small and skinny people, darker pigmentation more than lighter, ill more than well, those who use lots of sunblock more than sunbathers etc.

Official recommendations range from 200-600 IU per day. Both the Canadian and US health agencies are currently reviewing the daily recommended dose for adults and children.  The Canadian Cancer society recommendations for adults are higher at 1000 IU per day and some researchers believe that level isn’t sufficient. Health Canada has recommended maternal supplementation of 200 IU and 400 IU for all exclusively breastfed, healthy, term infants in Canada. This should be continued until the infant diet includes 400 IU/day from other sources. Also note, for northern Native communities during the winter months, the Canadian Pediatric Society advocates an increase of vitamin intake to 800 IU daily.

Tips on How to Increase Your and Your Child’s Vitamin D Intake.

1.  If you live north of 37 degree latitude  then you should consider increasing vitamin D intake through supplements and diet. For children, liquid vitamin D dispensed through a dropper is readily accessible at pharmacies.
2. Consider eating foods rich in vitamin D while maintain a balanced diet. As mentioned above, these foods include fish, eggs and some mushrooms.
3. Consider a short sun exposure but be careful to avoid overexposure and potential for burns, in particular for children.
4. Consider getting you and your families’ vitamin D levels tested via a physician administered calcidiol test (also know as a 25-hyrdoxyvitamin D test). What is more important than your daily intake of vitamin D are your actual vitamin D blood levels. Levels should be above 50 ng/ml (125 nmol/L) year-round, in both children and adults.

Best wishes from Go-La Rolla for you and your children’s health!

www.golarolla.com.

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the SickKids Foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,

Canadian made, play & pamper products that’s best for baby.

[1] See www.vitamindsociety.org  referencing a University of Calgary study for more information. 

Pregnancy does not come easy to me.  I’ve had every awful pregnancy symptom you can think of; nausea, vomiting, headaches, extreme fatigue, gas of course, and now I’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Diabetes runs in my family but I never thought it would be my problem; it always seemed like someone else’s health issue. After all, I’ve been very careful about what I eat and try to exercise regularly.

There is already so much information about diabetes…why write about it?

Gestational diabetes affects approximately 10% of pregnant women and is one of the primary health concerns for pregnant women. In my case, gestational diabetes was discovered very early on in pregnancy at about 14 weeks. Helping other pregnant women understand what the symptoms are may assist in early detection. Often women are tested at 24-28 weeks.  In terms of symptoms, it can be hard to pin point as your body is changing so much in a short period of time. For me, I felt that something wasn’t right, my energy levels were not consistent (I went from very tired to very wired), I was always thirsty and always running to the bathroom. It can be confusing as these are also some pregnancy symptoms. It’s best to get tested early if diabetes does run in your family.

So what causes it?

The Canadian Diabetic Association lists several risk factors for gestational diabetes:

• a previous diagnosis of GDM or delivery of an excessive birth weight infant
• being a member of a high-risk population, including women of Aboriginal, Hispanic, South Asian, Asian and African descent
• being 35 years of age or older
• being obese (BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
• a history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• acanthosis nigricans (a skin disorder characterized by the appearance of darkened patches of skin)
• use of corticosteroids

In terms of what happens in your body, pregnancy hormones and other factors are thought to interfere with the action of insulin as it binds to the insulin receptor. Since insulin promotes the entry of glucose into most cells, insulin resistance prevents glucose from entering the cells properly. As a result, glucose remains in the bloodstream, where levels rise.

What am I doing to manage it?

I’ve discovered that having diabetes is like having a part-time job. Not only is it important to test and track blood sugars at least 4 times a day, exercise is one of the most important tools to manage diabetes on a daily basis and it’s also imperative to know when and how much insulin to take. Doing all of this can be so overwhelming at first but planning ahead seems to the best way to manage daily food and exercise.

Diabetic diets focus on managing the quantity of carbohydrates consumed throughout the day as a means of managing peaks in blood glucose levels. I make an effort to eat only 45g of carbohydrates for every meal and supplement with lots of veggies and protein. As a mom of a 2 year old, it can be hard to plan my meals so far in advance.

Exercise is the hardest part of the equation for me. Now that I’m pregnant and getting bigger I really don’t feel like going out for an hour walk every day. I try to go earlier in the morning when I’m not as tired and have the energy to walk. Exercising helps regulate blood sugars and will help build a stronger and healthier body for pregnancy and delivery. It is important not to over exert yourself and just do as much exercise as your body can handle.

Some women with gestational diabetes need to take insulin to help regulate blood sugars and keep both mom and baby healthy. It is possible to manage through diet and exercise if your blood sugars seem to be generally in control. A consultation with your physician after your blood screening tests should help with managing this.

What are the risks later in life?

Coming to terms with having gestational diabetes can be daunting. The experience has made me take better care of myself and my baby during this pregnancy. No more eating and lounging to my heart’s content! But coming to terms with the fact that 40% of women with gestational diabetes develop Type II diabetes later on in life is extremely scary. I spoke to my OB about the risks and was very concerned; I was advised to continue to eat a diabetic diet even after I have the baby and to continue to exercise every day. This may ward of diabetes in the long term but there is always the chance that it will rear its ugly head anyway!

Go-La Rolla is always interested in hearing what you have to say. Please write to us and tell your experiences with pregnancy, or feel free to comment on this blog. Your comments could be useful to other readers.

Sharan

Go-La Rolla, co- founder

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

We are proud to support kids health, a portion of all sales will be donated to the sickkids foundation.

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,

Canadian made, play & pamper products that`s best for baby.

Today is April 22^nd and it’s the 40th annual Earth Day.   This blog will give you some information about Earth Day and some suggestions on how to be that much greener on the greenest day of the year.

Some Background on Earth Day

Earth Day was established to generate awareness and action of our most pressing environmental issues. The Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment.   Core to the initial Earth Day premise was to shed more light on pollution and the impact it was having on human life. Unfortunately this remains a key issue today.  The need for cleaner energy remains our biggest issue and largest opportunity.  However, climate change is not the only issue of importance that Earth Day brings attention to. There are also campaigns to learn and teach conservation and biodiversity, food and agriculture issues, green schools and sustainable development and recycling and waste reduction.

What Will be Your Act of Green?

It is hard to believe that over 1 billion people worldwide participate in Earth Day making it the largest secular civic event in the world.  So what are we supposed to do on earth day?  For those of us who aren’t as diligent with our daily environmental choices it can stir feelings of guilt and thoughts of what we should be doing more or less of. Well this is exactly what is needed; to rethink our actions and the impact they have on the environment.   It is easy for everyone to be a part of Earth Day. Even the simplest acts like turning off lights when not in use or, looking for a better alternative for re-sealable plastic bags can have huge impact if executed by the masses.  I am making a commitment to reduce the energy used in my home and to become a much more focused recycler of all things including food waste.  You can go to the earth day website www.earthday.org and pledge your commitment in a written statement, this may help to stay green until the next earth day.

There are numerous Earth Day events to take part in, check out your community website to get a sense of the larger events that you can be a part of.  It’s a great opportunity to learn, meet new people and get involved in your environment.

Go-La Rolla is dedicated to creating green local products and we intend to continue this. We would love to hear from you. Please write back with any thoughts you might have on earth day.

1. What will be your little act of green?
2. Do you think Earth Day has an impact?

Happy Earth Day!

Go-La Rolla

www.golarolla.com / info@golarolla.com

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic, cloth, eco natural, Canadian Made play and pamper products that best for baby.

Mother’s Day – May 9, 2010

This blog is the second in a series of Mother’s Day, which is approaching in less than a month. In this series you will find information about the history of Mother’s Day, ideas for Mom, and how to best spend time with the family etc.  Every week there will be a new blog in the series.

Talk To US and WIN!

We would love to hear back from  you, so please read to the end and respond to the questions at the bottom of the website. On Mother’s Day, we will send a gift to the best commenter as voted by you and us. Also feel free to respond to other comments telling us whether you like them or not.

At First: No Celebrating Mothers in North America

While you might have a long tradition of Mother’s day in your family, did you know that the pilgrims did not bring over the tradition from England when they settled in North America? Some potential reasons why this might have occurred: the pilgrims lived in harsher conditions and had to focus on the business of providing a living and had little time for devoting a day of celebration to Mom. Another explanation was that the pilgrims migrated to pursue a more conservative approach to Christianity and a Mother’s day celebration didn’t fit in with a puritan approach. (Even traditional Christian holidays like Easter and Christmas were approached with more austerity).

Again Mother’s Day Roots in Blood

In 1870, distraught with the destruction and deaths of sons caused by other sons, Julia Ward Howe called for a international day for mothers to gather and protest the violence, instead focusing on peace and motherhood. Howe initially proposed that July 4th be proclaimed the day so that the nation would focus on peace, but eventually June 2nd was chose. By 1873, 18 cities in North America were celebrating Mother’s Day where Howe founded the celebrations. Unfortunately, with the exception of Boston, who continued for ten more years, once the funding ceased, so did the celebrations.

However, the seeds were sewn for a Mother’s Day and the cause was again taken up by Anna Reeves Jarvis in a Mother’s Friendship Day aspiring to reunite families and friends that had been divided between the confederate and union states in the Civil War. Anna’s daughter (Anna M. Jarvis born in 1864) petitioned the church after her mother’s death and the first official Mother’s Day occurred in May 1908. That church in West Virginia has now been incorporated into the International Mother’s Day shrine.  In 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked two phrases “second Sunday in May” as well as “Mother’s Day”. She also  created the Mother’s Day International Association. Note that the apostrophe in Mother’s indicates a single mother on purpose to commemorate each mother individually instead of mothers at large around the world. By 1914, the US officially recognized Mother’s Day as a national holiday.

Protesting Commercialization

With the rapid spread of Mother’s Day across the US, one magazine, Florist Review, indicated that the holiday could be exploited. The sales of flowers, in particular carnations, had exploded. Anna M. along with her sister spent their inheritance protesting against the commercialization to the extent that she once sued to stop an event, and later in 1930 was arrested for disturbing the peace at a an American War Mother’s Group.  She also fought against printed cards because she thought they were the lazy solution

More about Anna M. Jarvis’s fight and her life in the next blog…

Coming Up – More about the Evolution of Mother’s Day in North America

In our next blog, we will discuss more about poor Anna M.’s protests against the commercialization and some great ways (commercial and not)  to celebrate Mother’s Day. Some special hints for Dads and partners to make Mom feel special and loved will be included.

Questions for you:

1. Do you think Mother’s Day has become too commercialized?

2. How do you feel about printed vs. handmade cards?

Remember we are giving away a free prize to the best comments on Mother’s Day.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Go-La Rolla

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,  Canadian made, play & pamper products that`sbest for baby.

A percentage of all sales from www.golarolla.com will be donated toSickKids Foundation.

Two MBA women run a baby business that gives back

Two mothers left the corporate world to establish a business, Go-La Rolla, whose values reflect their own.

”We care about the world we leave our children,” co-founder G. Flora said. All products are Canadian-made, organic and eco-chic, minimizing the eco-footprint and supporting the local economy. A percentage of all internet sales will be donated to SickKids Foundation. “We’re new but growing. It’s never too early to support children’s health.”

The recent report indicating women have lost ground while pushing for equality reconfirmed their decision to take control of their personal and professional lives.

A unique portable PlayMat made from biofoam and wrapped in organic cotton is the flagship product. It’s plush, stylish and provides ample space to develop gross-motor skills. Lightweight, it rolls up. Perfect for mom-baby yoga, visits to cottage, park or family/friends.

Go-La Rolla sells other unique organic products and regularly blogs about mom, baby and business. Visit: www.golarolla.com or buy products at select retailers across Canada.

For further information: info@golarolla.com

Mother’s Day – May 9, 2010

With Mother’s Day approaching in about a month, and the weather finally feeling like Spring, I thought it would be a good time to turn shift focus to all things Mom. This blog will be a first in a series of Mother’s Day. In this series you will find information about the history of Mother’s Day, ideas for Mom, and how to best spend time with the family etc.

Talk To US and WIN!

We would love to hear back from  you, so please read to the end and respond to the questions at the bottom of the website. On Mother’s Day, we will send a gift to the best commenter as voted by you and us. Also feel free to respond to other comments telling us whether you like them or not.

Celebrating Mothers rooted in Antiquity

Mother’s Day as celebrated in North America, is a day set aside to celebrate being a mother. Some have a cynical view of Mother’s Day (and other such holidays) as creations by Hallmark or related businesses such as flower companies to drive sales.

Actually, celebrating the maternal figure through a Goddess or symbolic figure is rooted in antiquity. While shifting the focus to humans is a modern phenomenon, females and female figures have been revered throughout history.

Blood and Murder Associated Ancient Mother Celebrations

For instance, one of the earliest records of celebrating mothers belongs to the Egyptian civilization. Egyptians held an annual festival for Goddess Isis, who is considered the mother of pharaohs. Isis’s husband-brother Osiris was slain by his jealous brother Seth. Isis reassembled her Osiris’s dismembered body and impregnated herself. As an adult, her son Horus defeated his uncle and became the first ruler of unified Egypt and Isis became the Mother of pharaohs.

The Romans also celebrated Isis and the annual Isis festival marked the commencement of Winter. The three day festival involved mainly female singers, musicians and dancers. But the truer Roman root is in the celebration of Cybele.  Cybele, represented the fertile Earth, goddess of mountains, walls, nature, wild animals and caverns. Her festival occurred during the Vernal Equinox and is associated with a lion throne and a chariot drawn by lions. Like Isis, Cybele is associated with male death and resurrection. Her son and consort,  Attis. In an ecstasy, he castrated himself and died, but a devastated Cybele resurrected him.

In Greece, Rhea, is considered the mother of Gods including the great deity Zeus and was also celebrated during the Vernal Equinox including games, procession and an extensive display of arts and crafts.

Revering the female isn’t only a Western tradition. Asia also recognized women. In India, the female God Durga has been celebrated with  a ten day festival of Durga Puja. Families share food, clean and decorate their houses for social gatherings.

Coming Up – More about the Evolution of Mother’s Day in North Americal

In our next blog, we will talk about the evolution of the mother figure and the history of celebrating closer to home.

Questions for you:

1. How was your best Mother’s Day celebrated?

2. Do you have an interesting or cultural tradition that celebrates the female, mom, or Mother’s Day? Please share it. Our readers and we would love hear it.

Remember we are giving away a prize to the best comments on Mother’s Day.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Rae

Go-La Rolla, co- founder

www.golarolla.com

info@golarolla.com

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural,

Canadian made, play & pamper products that`s best for baby.

Safe Sun for Families

With spring here (though it doesn’t always feel like it) , I am longing for heat and sunshine. We are planning a quick trip down South to rejuvenate and soak up some rays. With a toddler, and another one on the way, I suddenly became conscious of planning ahead regarding sun shelter. Before, I may have slapped on any old sunscreen, and sprawled out in the sun, but being pregnant, I want to make sure that I am keeping my baby and myself safe.  And for my eighteen month old, I can’t keep him still, so ensuring he’s well protected is key.

Even those families with a darker pigment still need protection. Be especially careful with young children who have more skin to body mass than adults, and are susceptible to sunburn. Sunburn not only hurts, but can also cause other complications like skin damage, dehydration and illness.

There is so much information, it can be overwhelming, but here are some tips that I’ve distilled that seem sensible and straightforward.

Quick Sun Protection Sense For Families:

1) Avoid direct sunlight exposure when the sun rays are most intense. This is between 11 am and 3 pm. If you aren’t keeping track of time when in vacation mode, a shadow shorter than yourself indicates high sun and time to exercise extra caution. During this time, stay indoors or make sure you and your children are protected by shade from trees, umbrellas, buildings etc

2) Cover up. This may seem to make little sense in the heat, but light cotton and natural fabric are the best protection for children. Wear airy, loose fitting long sleeves and light summer pants when possible Sport wide brim hats. I find for young kids, it is better when they have a chin strap to keep the hat in place, so they don’t blow away in the breeze or kids don’t tug them off. Bathing suits for children that look like mini-wetsuits are available in short and long sleeves and cover more skin surface that briefs or bikinis. Swimming shirts are also available and provide extra coverage when using swimming diapers. Be sure to remove the shirts after swimming so children can dry off.

3) Wear sunscreen. Use sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. Note: Children under 6 months should never use sunscreen. Reapply every two hours or after swimming. Keep them in the shade, which shouldn’t be too hard, since they sleep often and are content in well-protected strollers. Look for my future blog discussing different types of sunscreen from natural to commercial, the differences and how to decide what is right for your family.

4) Sunglasses are also good especially near water or sand where the glare reflecting from surfaces can be intense. When he was younger, my son didn’t like wearing sunglasses, but now we make it a game at home, playing peek-a-boo, so he gets accustomed to the weight and presence of sunglasses on his face. Now he happily wears them for longer periods of time outdoors without pulling them off. Sunglasses with a wide and cushioned strap seems to be most comfortable. Check that the lenses over broad spectrum protection UVA and UVB to protect against eye damage.

5) Keep children well hydrated. When playing the sun, children will sweat and naturally lose body fluids. Keep water and natural juices close by to make sure children don’t dehydrate. Another alternative to surprise them with popsicles. Kids love fun, cool treats to cool them down.

Vacation Planning:

1) Not all resorts are the same in terms of amenities. Some have readily available umbrellas by the pool and beach, but not all do. I would definitely double check the resort. If the beach is not naturally shaded or the pool doesn’t have umbrellas, make sure to plan ahead. You can buy umbrellas that will work in the sand. Look for ones where the pole collapses, so they are easy to pack and carry. Some even come with shoulder straps.

2) When planning  day excursions, or sight-seeing, seeking shade is not always practical. We try and plan meal times when the sun is strongest, and other indoor activities like museums, or covered attractions. Save the swimming and outdoor activities for early morning or later afternoon when the sun isn’t so strong.

3) Check the daily UV rating and act accordingly. UV rays can damage skin and eyes. Depending on the strength of UV rays, you and your children can burn in as little as 15 minutes. When the UV index is low (2 and lower), there is little need for worry or active protection measures. Between 3 and 7, be sure to follow the advice above. The UV index is considered high when above 8 and extra precaution is needed. In the tropics, the UV index could be as high as 10 or more.

To learn about a unique, organic Portable Play Mat that is perfect for family travel, visit our website: www.golarolla.com; or email us atinfo@golarolla.com

Happy and safe sun travels and play!

Rae

Go-La Rolla, co- founder

www.golarolla.com

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic, eco-friendly, locally- produced play & pampering products for babies.

A Mom’s Experience with Asthma and Allergies

Asthma and Allergies seem to be a common combination. My son was recently diagnosed with both, which is odd considering neither my husband nor I have asthma or allergies.  Of course the doctors’ can offer no explanation other then “he’s a North American baby”.  After my son’s last asthma attack and a 5 day stint in the hospital, I decided to find out exactly what’s going on; the explanation provided was not enough and I couldn’t help but think his environment was a significant factor

I’ve been doing some research and am so shocked by what I have found.  The dangers of household pollutants are staggering. Simple household items can omit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds such as methane or formaldehye), this process is known as “off-gassing”. This evaporation of synthetic compounds is found throughout your home, and can result in asthma attacks or allergic reactions.   According to Dr. Bassett (MD, vice chair of the Public Education Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology), off-gassing can cause a whole host of allergy symptoms, ranging from puffy, red, and watery eyes to a runny nose, congestion, coughing, and asthma-like symptoms as well as  skin irritations like rashes, itchiness, and hives. You need to be especially mindful if you have a child like with asthma and or allergies.

The Off-Gassing Culprits:  Beware they are everywhere

Triphynel Phospate – Is a flame retardant that is added to many plastics. It has been proven to be one of the largest contributors of off-gassing. It’s typically found in electronics (TVs, Monitors and appliances). When these items are turned on and heat up they begin the process of offgassing

Formaldehyde – Can accumulate indoors through construction materials, household cleaning products and new furniture. A significant build up for long periods of time contributes to coughing, wheezing etc.

New Carpets and Cars – We all know the smell of a new car or carpet, but did you know that it is in fact the release of toxic chemicals? For a new car, the smell results from the chemicals used in the vinyl and plastics used to make the seats, dash and car seat covers. For new carpets the backing on the underside typically contains chemicals that off-gass.

Out with Off-gassing: Tips on how to reduce its presence in your home

It makes sense to me to create a space and home for children that are as natural as possible.

1.  Try to air out your home as often as possible and look into getting an air purifier
2. Keep the humidity in your home below 45 degrees, to decrease the amount of formaldehyde and other chemicals that are prone to off-gas
3. Try to air out new carpeting or a new car as much as possible. You may want to also look into buying organic carpets.
4. We have transitioned to all things organic and it’s never too late to start.  In fact, that’s what inspired the creation of the organic Portable Play Mat. Available online and at select retailers across the country.

Wishing you Clean and Safe Air!

Sharan

www.golarolla.com

Two moms rolled up the love they have for their families into organic cloth, eco natural, Canadian made, play & pamper products that`sbest for baby.

Email: info@golarolla.com