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Photo: @freestylemama   Brain Development—The Second Year The first three years of life are a critical time for brain development, but sometimes we as parents can be at a loss as to how to help and challenge our little ones as they grow. Once your little one turns a year old, he is walking—or close to it. This opens up his world as he is able to get around on his own and test the boundaries of his life. Below we are sharing some ways that you can assist in your little one’s development during the second year (12-24 months). 12-18 Months On top of becoming more mobile, your little one is also learning how to communicate his wants and...

Photo: @christinaloewen Sensory Activities for Baby So, your little one is rolling over, scooting around and maybe even crawling. She’s very interested in the world around her, and she’s depending on you to learn each and every day! Toys can be expensive and often don’t actually “teach” your little one anything. Instead, skip the toys and check around your house for simple ways to create sensory activities for baby. Sensory activities are things that stimulate your little one’s senses of sight, touch, sound, smell and hearing. Reading Our number one favorite sensory activity is reading! Children’s books often have bright and colorful pictures that will keep baby’s attention. Plus, listening to your voice is one of the best ways that...

  Importance of a Tight Swaddle Swaddling is not only a comfort to your little one, but it can also aid in safe sleeping—as long as proper swaddling techniques are used. One of the most important steps in using a swaddle blanket like The Ollie with your baby is ensuring that the swaddle is tight. First, let’s review the benefits of swaddling:      Improved sleep for baby and for parents      Decreases the startle reflex, in turn increasing REM sleep      Reduces colic and fussiness      Prevents over-stimulation and helps your little one feel comforted      Helps infants remain on their backs during sleep So, why is a tight swaddle so important? Safe Sleep Guidelines – If you’ve done any research on swaddling, you’ve probably...

Photo: @audreyblake_/   Importance Of A Routine For Baby When you first bring your newborn home from the hospital, any semblance of a routine that once existed is far-gone. Your new baby probably sleeps all day and cries all night. So how in the world are you supposed to introduce a routine to this tiny being? And why is a routine so important? Your newborn baby's needs aren't super complicated—yet. Eat, sleep and love. That’s about it for now, but as she grows so will her needs. Most parents find that building a routine as early as possible helps tremendously in the long run. Routine vs. Schedule When you hear the word “routine” you may relate it to a schedule—but...

Photo: @a_content_heart    Back-To-School Lunch Ideas The week or two before school begins we as parents always have plans to pack the most Pinterest-worthy snacks and lunches for our kids. But after a few “Pinterest fails”, we get overwhelmed by the amount of time it can take to pack the perfect lunch for our little ones. But it doesn’t have to be that way! With some careful planning and a few ideas to get you started, packing healthy and delicious lunches for your kids doesn’t have to fade after the first month. First, make a list of lunch “staples” that you can rotate through each lunch: Fruits: Blueberries, strawberries, oranges, apples, bananas, peaches, pineapple, mangoes and melon Veggies: Carrots, broccoli,...