What’s better than a sale? A surprise sale. Whether you’re a planner or not, when Amazon drops one of their unexpected sales, it’s a big deal. And the Amazon Spring Sale isn’t any different. Correction: the Amazon Big Spring Sale. This spring-forward (pardon the pun) sale is offering deep discounts—up to 40%+!—on everything from devices, spring fashion, Easter goodies, and beyond. Check out our top picks, but don’t take our word for it. Filling your cart will be so easy with this event. The Amazon Big Spring Sale ends 3/25!
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
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These healthy Trader Joe’s products top our list for the new year
Whether you’re looking for a way to scale back on the junk, add some smarter snacks, or kick-start healthy habits in general, there are plenty of helpful options at your favorite neighborhood market. Fill up your cart in the fruit and veggie section and then add a few of our favorite healthy Trader Joe’s products to have at the ready. If you need some meal-prep help, check out our favorite Trader Joe’s meals you can make in 15 minutes or less.
Healthy Trader Joe’s Breakfast Products
Egg Wraps
Kate Loweth
We love these wraps as a breakfast burrito tortilla alternative or topped with fruit for a sweet crepe breakfast. Kids won't be able to tell the difference, we promise! Bonus: there's 4g of protein in each wrap.
While you have to be careful when consuming granola since it’s normally high in sugar and fat, this peanut butter protein granola has 11 grams of protein per serving! Enjoy in small amounts atop yogurt for that extra protein serving your body is craving.
When it comes to a dense, nutritious breakfast, you can never go wrong with oatmeal. It packs a healthy portion of carbs and fiber, is rich in antioxidants, and can help lower your cholesterol and improve blood sugar control. Plus, it’s super tasty in homemade protein bars and in a smoothie, too!
You love these little bites from Starbucks and now you can have them every day of the week at home. They come in a cheese, spinach, and kale flavor as well as bacon and cheese. Pop them in the microwave and serve with a dollop of salsa.
Raisin Walnut Apple Bars
We love these little bars as they are packed with protein (10g per bar!) but they have the texture of a roll. Easy to eat on the go, these bars are packed with raisins, walnuts, and apples for a satisfying breakfast option.
Healthy Trader Joe’s Snacks
Papdums
These lentil and chickpea crisps will be your new favorite snacks. One warning: You might just eat the whole bag in one sitting. They have a lovely light Indian flavor with the texture of Pringles. Great served with your favorite hummus.
ABC Bars
We love these for kids' lunches as they have 4g of protein and taste great. The chocolatey dough enrobes the almond butter center and feels like a treat.
Roasted Seaweed Snack
Crunchy, salty, and easy to pack in your kid's lunch. We love this seaweed snack to top ramen bowls.
These dried cranberries are perfect for snacking and are fortified with cranberry seed oil. They have 200mg of omega-3’s per serving and would be super tasty on a salad, in oatmeal, or enjoyed by the handful.
Veggie & Flax Seed Corn Tortilla Chips
You get the whole package with this bag of chips. Carrot, tomato, spinach, garlic, red beet, and onion plus lots of omega-3's are all found in this inexpensive and flavorful snack.
Acai is a superfood! These pre-made puree packets are loaded with antioxidants and are low in sugar (fruit is usually high in natural sugars). Perfect for that morning smoothie bowl.
Whole Flax Seed
Flax seed is easy to add to your yogurt, homemade protein bars, and smoothies for a nice, nutty taste and texture. It's rich in omega-3s, fiber, and lignans, which block the effects of estrogen and could potentially help reduce the risk of hormone-associated cancers, such as breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate.
Organic Chia Seed
Chia seeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids (that help raise your "good cholesterol"), fiber, antioxidants, iron, and calcium. They also help with reducing inflammation and weight loss and are easy to make into overnight chia seed pudding.
Healthy Trader Joe’s Beverages
Kefir & Cultured Milk
This kefir and cultured milk combo has 12 live and active cultures, packs a lot of protein, and is full of vitamin D. Kefir is a powerful probiotic, can improve bone health, and can aid with digestive problems.
Super Antioxidant Green Tea
Green tea is a must for healthy living: It helps regulate glucose levels, reduces bad cholesterol and high blood pressure, and might even help with aging and wrinkles.
Made with just coconut water, sap, and sea salt, Organic Coconut Aminos Seasoning Sauce is the perfect swap for sodium-laden soy sauce. The gluten-free, kosher sauce contains no soy, but 13 amino acids that make this product a must for stir-fries, fried rice, veggies, and more.
Add flavor without all the carbs a tasty bagel usually brings when you use TJ’s coveted Everything but the Bagel Seasoning. The blend is made with poppy seeds, minced garlic and onion, sea salt flakes, and sesame seeds and is a great addition to anything! Try on hardboiled eggs, avo toast, and even your fave dinners.
Kerrygold Grass-Fed Butter
Kerrygold grass-fed butter is not only better for baking, but it also possesses properties that are anti-inflammatory and makes for an excellent Vitamin A source.
Sunflower Seed Butter
Sunflower butter is not only an alternative to peanuts, but is also an excellent source of protein, vitamin E, magnesium, and lots of other healthy fats. It's also great for kiddos who attend schools with a "no nut policy."
Healthy Trader Joe’s Lunch and Dinner Products
All-Natural Chicken Breasts
These pre-cooked chicken breasts are deliciously flavorful and a great option to have on hand for quesadillas, sandwiches, salads, or soups. Each chicken breast is individually wrapped. You can find these in the deli section.
Beef Bulgogi
This frozen product is quickly topping our list of go-to items to have on hand when dinner needs to come together fast. Add some of the garlicky cabbage and serve this with rice for a filling meal. There's also a meatless option if that's your jam.
Stir-Fried Garlicky Cabbage
Inspired by the Thai dish Galam Plee Pad Nam Pla, this simple stir-fry of cabbage, a whole lot of garlic, and fish sauce makes a tasty addition to your meal whether you have it as a side or mix it in with your stir-fry.
Kettle Cooked Chicken Soup
One of the most popular healthy Trader Joe's products, this soup is all the rage these days as a serving will really fill you up with a whopping 16g of protein. Plus, it's pretty delicious.
Spicy Mexican-Style Riced Cauliflower
This little packet really packs a flavor punch and is a great addition to taco night. It has around 200 calories in the whole bag, which makes it an easy add-on to your weekly menu plan.
Harvest Grains Blend
This hearty and healthy blend packs lots of protein and fiber. It's made up of orzo, garbanzo beans, red quinoa, and couscous that can easily be paired with meat to make a full meal.
Frozen Brown Rice & Rice Medley
Brown rice far surpasses its white rice cousin when it comes to nutritional value, but it takes forever to cook. This box of three frozen brown rice packets makes eating healthy a cinch––microwave for three minutes and enjoy perfectly cooked rice (and no rice cooker cleanup!). Try the Rice Medley when you want a little more texture.
Organic & Sprouted TriColor Quinoa
Quinoa is referred to as a superfood and is higher in fiber than most other grains. It also has tons of protein, is low on the glycemic index, and is gluten-free.
Colorful Carrot Coins
We love these as a potato alternative to that pork roast you plan to serve for dinner. Pop them in the air fryer to get the perfect blend of soft inside and crunchy outside.
Lentils are high in fiber and therefore lower your cholesterol and chances of heart disease. Toss into a soup and enjoy increased energy, stabilized blood sugar, and a healthy gut.
Riced Cauliflower Bowl
Cut the carbs by substituting cauliflower "rice" for its white counterpart. When you use this easy, pre-made version from Trader Joe's, you'll get all the benefits of cauliflower, like tons of fiber, cancer-fighting properties, improved blood pressure and kidney function, and anti-inflammatory nutrients.
Trendy glasses are the ultimate in fashion + function (because seeing is cool)
Glasses are a huge “it” accessory. Don’t believe us? Jennifer Aniston, Millie Bobby Brown, Zendaya, and Kristen Bell all rock specs (to name a few). Whether you have to wear them for, you know, vision purposes, for blue light blocking, or reading, glasses can be a super fun way to show off your personality and add a little extra oomph to your look. We’ve found some of the cutest trendy glasses for women you can snag online. You might even want to grab more than one pair so you can switch your style around whenever you feel like it. And for these totally reasonable prices, you’ll be able to. Check out our picks for trendy glasses for women (specifically moms!) below.
Acetate Cat Eye Glasses in Blue Tortoise Shell
Eyeconic
Cat eye glasses are iconic and pretty much never go out of style. This pair adds some cool color to a classic tortoise shell pattern that we adore. Available in single vision, progressive, and non-prescription.
Oprah wouldn't call these one of her Favorite Things if they weren't worthy, right? The on-trend oversized look, complemented with a beautiful soft square shape, makes a statement while spring hinges provide additional comfort. They're available in several colors and are also available with reading or corrective lenses.
A little bit retro, a little bit cool, these are available in 6 colors and are available in prescription, reading, and functional/non-prescription lenses.
If round is your preferred shape, this pair from Converse in a soft sage green is exactly what you've been searching for. Available in single vision, progressive, and non-prescription.
These are all about shape, and the feathery print on the acetate frames add a unique touch that we're big fans of. Available in prescription, readers, and non-prescription lenses.
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Whether you’re new to nursing or an experienced pro, this breastfeeding essentials checklist will help
If you’re nursing, these are the breastfeeding essentials that will make your journey easier and more comfortable for you and your baby. Some may surprise you, and others will become your new can’t-live-without-it favorites. From nursing bras and breastfeeding pillows to nipple creams and pumping parts, it’s all here.
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Nursing Basics
Prenatal vitamins. Yes, you’re post-natal, but many health-care professionals recommend continuing to take prenatals while you breastfeed so you and baby can get more essential nutrients. Talk to your doctor about what vitamins you need.
Burp cloths. You probably received cute, colorful cloths at your baby shower, but a plain cloth diaper is also an excellent, and highly absorbant, way to protect your clothing and wipe baby’s face after a spit-up situation.
Nipple shields. A lifesaver for many women in the beginning. This thin, clear silicone nipple shield can help baby latch if they're having trouble or you have flat or inverted nipples.
Nursing bras. These bras make it easier to feed your child and are more comfortable for you, especially in the first few months. If you're pumping, you'll want combo nursing & pumping bras that let you pump hands-free. Check out our guide to nursing bras for everything you need to know.
Nursing pillows. Holding a nursing baby in your arms gets real old, real fast. You don't need to invest in a nursing pillow, but it will help your baby latch at the right angle for feeding and can be more comfortable for your back. Read about the top nursing pillows.
Breast milk collection cups. You won't lose a drop of liquid gold with a cup designed to catch milk from the breast your baby isn't nursing on. They're also handy for hand expression and some are shaped to allow your baby to drink right from the silicone cup.
Nursing apps. Track which side you last nursed on, when baby nursed and other important nursing data in these amazing apps. Many apps will also track diaper changes, nap schedules and health history so you have all of your baby data in one spot. Check out awesome organizational apps for new moms.
Lactation consultants. If breastfeeding is painful or you’re concerned about whether baby is getting enough milk, talk to a lactation consultant. Ask local moms for recommendations, or explore online resources.
Nipple creams. Heal sore, dry, cracked nipples with breast milk, coconut oil, lanolin or a store-bought nipple cream. If you buy a cream, look for one that doesn’t need to be washed off before baby nurses.
Nursing Pads. Disposable or reusable breast pads can comfort sore nipples and protect against leaks that stain your clothes.
Breast pain relievers. From massagers that soften the breast to work out clogged ducts to pillows and gel packsyou heat up to quicken milk flow, there are products to soothe the most common breast discomfort.
Pumping Products
Motorized breast pumps. Many insurance companies cover the cost of a breast pump, which is great. But there are sometimes restrictions, and you might want or need a different kind of pump. New moms can also rent pumps from hospitals after birth.
Manual pumps. Many breastfeeders love the convenience of a hand pump. It’s quiet and doesn’t require batteries or an outlet, so it’s great for late nights, air travel and road trips. You can use a hand pump to increase supply, catch leaking milk while baby is nursing on the other breast, and relieve pressure before nursing if you’re engorged.
Pumping accessories. A hands-free pumping bra is a must with a traditional breast pump. There’s a slit in each cup of these clever bras that allow you to slip the flanges into the bra and connect the bottles and hoses outside it. And speaking of flanges, the correct size flanges can make a difference in pumping output. If you’re concerned about milk production, confirm you’re using the right size flange for your breast and nipple size.
Storage & cleaning. Breastmilk storage bags and cups come in silicone and plastic versions. For heating milk, invest in a breastmilk warmer that safely heats the milk evenly. To clean storage cups and pump parts, use a bottle and dish soap with gentle ingredients that's free of fragrances. Babies are sensitive to new smells.
Milk coolers. If you're pumping at work, on outings or while traveling, you need a sturdy insulated bag for toting your pumped milk. Look for one with reusable ice packs and/or insulated panels.
Water bottle. Breastfeeding makes you super thirsty, so a water bottle is an absolute must. Choose a bottle that's easy to clean and not too heavy to carry, since you’ll also be lugging baby’s bottles and gear.
Lip balm. Your lips are likely to dry out from nursing, and the right lip balm keeps your lips soft for all those baby kisses.
Nursing cover (optional). It’s legal to breastfeed in all 50 states, but you may feel more comfortable with a nursing cover. Use a swaddling blanket or scarf if you don’t want to buy a separate product, but a cover can offer you more privacy and convenience. Look for a multi-use cover that works to cover car seats for added shade.
Lactation Snacks
Lactation drink powders. These drinks combine combine vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber and lactation-supporting herbs into a powder you can add to your favorite smoothie or other snacks.
Lactation tea & coffee. A hot beverage is a soothing way to get your lactation support and extra hydration.
Lactation treats. New moms deserve all the snacks. From cookies and brownies to bars and gummies, there are lots of tasty ways to boost your milk while satisfying that sweet tooth.
Pro Tip: Talk to your health care provider or lactation consultant before taking any snacks or supplements to boost your milk supply or overall nutritional intake.
We all love our digital devices to help us stay connected, but unfortunately not all screen time is created equal. And too much screen time, can play a negative role in your child’s eye health.
Treehouse Eyes specializes in myopia care just for kids. Learn more about Treehouse Eyes here!
The rate of childhood myopia is on the rise, with 1 in 3 children now affected in the U.S. To make matters worse, recent studies show that half the world will be myopic by 2050.
This eye disease, where the eyeball grows too long, is becoming more common in children, showing up at earlier ages and progressing more rapidly. Many factors, including genetics, can contribute to myopia. Researchers believe that reduced outdoor time coupled with an increase in screen time on devices may be part of the problem.
Myopia causes blurry distance vision, making it hard to see images and objects in the distance—from a clock on the wall to the TV across the room. Among other signs, you may notice your child holding a book close to his face, squinting more frequently or complaining of headaches. While glasses and contacts can help a child see clearly, they don’t treat the underlying issue or prevent vision from continuing to worsen.
If left untreated, children with myopia may be at a significantly higher risk for retinal detachment, cataracts, glaucoma and other serious eye-health complications as they grow. But don’t panic if you’ve resorted to screen time more than usual during the pandemic. There’s good news: early intervention is key and it makes a difference!
Head to a nearby Treehouse Eyes location near you for a free consultation!
With the school year winding down and summer on the horizon, now is the perfect time to proactively get your child’s eyes checked at Treehouse Eyes. The first eye care provider dedicated exclusively to treating myopic children, the Treehouse Vision System treatment plan is non-invasive, includes overnight customized lenses, day-time soft lenses and special prescription eye drops—proven to slow or stop the progression of myopia in children.
The leading provider of myopia management treatments for children in the U.S., Treehouse Eyes doctors utilize the latest equipment and clinical training to diagnose myopia and recommend a customized treatment plan for your child. Children treated by Treehouse Eyes doctors using the Treehouse Vision System (the Treehouse Eyes patent-pending protocol) show on average a 78% decrease in the progression of their myopia. Treehouse is also one of the first organizations to adopt ACUVUE® Abiliti™ Overnight Therapeutic Lenses that are specifically designed to match your child's eye based on its unique corneal shape, to temporarily reshape the cornea.*
There are even more benefits to your kiddo’s well-being once they start treatment. Children have reported better focus at school, increased performance in activities and more self-confidence. Now that’s the kind of trifecta parents like to see (pun intended!).
Learn how Treehouse Eyes can help your child preserve their best vision now, and reduce their risks for myopia-related eye diseases in the future. Book a free consultation at a location near you!
Beginning eaters can be a picky bunch, but you and your child will love these new and nutritious foods and drinks designed specifically for babies and toddlers. Packed with healthy ingredients (hello, pea protein, grass-fed bison and bok choy) and available in delicious flavor combinations and kid-friendly packaging (puffs! pouches! smoothie melts! teething wafers!), they’re a win-win. Read on for your baby’s new favorites!
We love Cerebelly for their nutrient-rich, organic kid snacks, and the new bone broth pouches have our mouths watering. Available in three flavors (butternut squash chicken broth with thyme; carrot beef bone broth with rosemary; sweet potato pinto bean with cumin), they're packed with kid-friendly flavors and brain-supporting nutrients including lutein, DHA and protein. Created for kids 11 months and up.
This Australian-owned snack brand makes nutritious, wholesome organic foods for babies and toddlers with no artificial flavors, colors or additives. The line is broken down into two ranges: The Baby Bellies range features snacks for kids 7+ months and 10+ months in kid-friendly flavors and age-appropriate shapes. The Little Bellies range is for kids 12+ months and features animal crackers and tomato sticks. The snacks dissolve so they're easy for littles to eat, and the shapes and sizes are developmentally appropriate so kids can grip them and feed themselves.
Looking for a nutritious, delicious and easy way to prepare breakfast foods for your babe? Try the apple, carrot and cinnamon muffin mix from Happy Family Organics, or the pancake & waffle mix. You'll whip these up in five minutes flat, so they're perfect for busy mornings or days you want to focus on family time rather than cooking. Both organic, non-GMO mixes are made with 100% whole grains, iron and no added sugar. You only need to add water to prepare the pancake & waffle mix; add water and your child's favorite puree to the muffin mix.
You may know Holle from the brand's baby formula, but this Swiss company has recently launched nutritious fruit and veggie pouches in six flavors, including Veggie Bunny, made with carrot, sweet potatoes and peas. They're not only made with organic ingredients, the products carry the Demeter seal, which means the products meet the highest international standards for holistic, ecological and ethical practices in organic farming.
Available at holleusa.com, $19.99 for a box of six pouches.
Happy Baby Savory Blends from Happy Family Organics
Get your baby's veggies in with these new pouches from Happy Family Organics. Each flavor contains 1.5 servings of organic vegetables in each pouch, more than other leading brands. The veggies are blended with healthy fats, herbs and spices for delicious combinations that expand your child's palate. Each flavor sounds like it came straight off a restaurant menu: Squash, Chickpeas & Spinach with Avocado Oil + Sage; Broccoli & Carrots with Olive Oil + Garlic; Sweet Potatoes with Olive Oil + Rosemary; Purple Carrot & Cauliflower with Avocado Oil + Oregano.
When a snack attack hits, you'll feel good about giving your child these nutrient-rich puffs. They have a slight crunch and chewy texture that kids like, and you'll like that they contain healthy veggies, as well as bone broth for protein and organic olive oil for healthy fats. The three savory flavors are: Broccoli & Spinach Grain free Puffs with Bone Broth, Carrot & Beet Grain Free Puffs with Olive Oil, and Tomato & Mushroom Grain Free Puffs with Bone Broth. These puffs are non-GMO, USDA Organic certified and Certified Gluten-Free.
Available at myserenitykids.com, $32.95 for a six-pack of 1.5-ounce containers.
Smoothie-Inspired Veggie & Fruit Pouches from Cerebelly
What could be more enticing than a smoothie-inspired puree with Peppa and George Pig on the label? How about the fact that these veggie & fruit pouches are packed with brain-supporting nutrients such as iron, Vitamin B6 and selenium. Available in three mouthwatering flavors (purple carrot blueberry, sweet potato peach, and celery apple kiwi), the Cerebelly x Peppa Pig pouches are sure to be a hit at snack time. The company donates a portion of each product to Baby2Baby to support children in need.
With just four healthy ingredients, these melty puffs from Littlemore Organics are the perfect snack to pop in your diaper bag or serve at home. Available in two savory flavors, sunflower butter and tomato, they contain no added sugar or salt; no corn, rice or gluten; and no peanuts or tree nuts. The line was created by two Boston-based mom friends, one a pediatrician, who set out to develop a packaged snack that was tasty, nutritious and convenient to bring with you. For babies 6 months and up who have started on solids.
Yogurt smoothie melts with no added sugar? Yes, please! These toddler favorites get their sweetness from organic fruits and veggies, contain no preservatives, and come in a shape that makes it easy for kids to grasp and chew. Available in plant-based yogurt (made with coconut milk) and cow's milk yogurt varieties, these melt-in-your-mouth snacks come in three yummy flavors: Beets 'n' Berries, Carrot Raspberry and Mango Carrots. The resealable bag means you can pop them in your bag for outings. They're recommended for kids 8 months to 4 years.
Treat your Gerber baby to delicious, nutritious organic foods delivered right to your door with these subscription box meals created by registered dieticians. The box contents change each month to add variety to your child's diet and respond to their nutritional needs and developmental milestones. Each box is filled with USDA Certified Organic cereals, purees, pouches or snacks.
Available at gerber.com, starting at $69.99 per box/month (under $2 per serving).
Want to feed your baby healthy foods that broaden their palate? Try these bone-broth toddler purees from Serenity Kids. Packed with nutrients that help strengthen bones and support digestion and immunity, these toddler puree pouches come in flavorful varieties with no added sugars or preservatives: Turkey Bolognese, Beef Pot Roast and Turmeric Chicken. All are made with pasture-raised meat from small American regenerative family farms, organic bone broth and Certified USDA Organic vegetables and herbs. They're also free of ingredients that contain antibiotics, added hormones, pesticides, fillers, GMOs or major allergens.
Available at serenitykids.com, $29.95/6 pouches of each flavor; $32.95/6-pouch variety pack. Save 20% with a subscription.
These heat-and-serve toddler meals (designed for kids 1+) come in flavors kids love and are packed full of nutrients. The macaroni & cheese has 8 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, along with 1/4 cup of veggies (pureed butternut squash, sweet potato and cauliflower). The pasta & tomato sauce has 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, along with 1/4 of veggies (carrots, sweet potatoes, red pepper). Both are low in sodium and contain no added sugar, additives or preservatives.
Available at target.com and in the produce section of Target stores, $4.99.
With 3 grams of protein, no added sugar and 10 brain-supporting nutrients, Cerebelly's Smart Bars are the snack you'll feel good about feeding your toddler. Think your child might need convincing to try something new? Two of the new flavors feature kid favorites Peppa Pig and George Pig on the package. Cerebelly was created by a neurosurgeon and mom of three to deliver age-optimized nutrition to children's growing brains. The bars in the Peppa Pig collaboration are carrot raisin and blueberry banana sweet potato. The bars also come in apple kale and strawberry beet. Read more about the Cerebelly X Peppa Pig Smart Bars.
Available at cerebelly.com, from $3.74 for a five-pack.
Plant-Based Complete Nutrition for Toddlers from Else Nutrition
This nutritional drink is free of dairy, soy, gluten, corn syrup and GMOs. What it's full of is minimally processed plant-based ingredients, whole foods and 20 vitamins and minerals your child needs to support their growth and development after they turn one. The main ingredients are organic almond butter, organic buckwheat flour and organic tapioca maltodextrin.
BabyPops are a puffed corn and oat snack that's sized just right for tiny hands. This quick-dissolving organic snack contains no added sweetener or salt, and the ingredients are non-GMO. It launched with three yummy varieties: peanut, banana raspberry and tomato. All varieties contain peanut; the peanut version includes organic peanut flour, and the other two are flavored with fruits and veggies.
Nutty Blends from Happy Family Organics combine a fruit with a nut in a tasty pouch, for a healthy, filling snack and an easy way to introduce peanuts and tree nuts to your baby. The line, which was developed with the help of pediatric allergists, comes in four flavors you'll be tempted to try yourself: bananas & almond butter, apples & walnut butter, pears & cashew butter, and bananas & peanut butter.
Learn more and find your nearest store carrying this product at happyfamilyorganics.com, $1.99 per pouch.
Organic Plant-Based Meals from Amara Organic Foods
Add breast milk, formula or water to these shelf-stable, organic, single-serve meal packets for a delicious baby puree, packed with nutrients. Great for kids transitioning to solid foods and quick and easy to prepare on the go, these handy packets come in a variety of flavors, from kale potato veggie mash and peas, corn & carrots to tropical mango and pumpkin & pear.
Available at amaraorganicfoods.com and at grocery stores including Whole Foods and Sprouts.
Organic Banana Mango Puree in a Recyclable Pouch from Gerber
Gerber has launched a recyclable baby-food pouch, so you can feel better about buying the pouches your kids love to eat. The first flavor available in this innovative pouch is organic banana mango puree, a sweet treat packed with potassium and vitamin C. The pouch is completely recyclable through Gerber's national recycling program with TerraCycle.
The nutrient-packed pouches from Serenity Kids sound like fancy restaurant meals. The two newest: pasture-raised turkey with organic pumpkin, sweet potato and beets, and grass-fed bison with organic kabocha squash and spinach. These low-sugar, high-fat pouches for babies six months and up are filled with organic vegetables from small family farms and ethically sourced meats from ranches utilizing regenerative agricultural techniques. Choose from meat and veggie combos, or organic veggies only. The company only uses ingredients that don't contain antibiotics, added hormones, pesticides, fillers, GMOs or major allergens.
Here's a smart snack for toddlers: These nutritious pouches support the immune system and digestive health. In addition to fruits and veggies, the pouches contain 35 mg of beta-glucan and 2g of prebiotic fiber for digestive health. They're available at major retailers nationwide and come in three flavors: bananas, spinach & blueberries; bananas, carrots & strawberries; and pears, beets & blackberries.
Why should we care about regenerative farming? It promotes biodiversity and can help to reverse climate change by building healthy soil that captures carbon from the atmosphere. Healthier soil, healthier food. The Happy Baby Regenerative & Organic line of food pouches debuted with three flavor combinations: apples, kale and oats; pears, squash and oats; and apples and carrots.
Available exclusively at Whole Foods, $8.49 for a four-pack. Learn more at happyfamilyorganics.com.
Babies love pouches, and you'll love that these organic, cold-pressed blends are sustainably grown, certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and full of healthy, organic fruits and veggies. The flavors are grouped by ages and stages, so you can easily find the ones right for your child. Purchase individual flavors as 12-packs, try a variety pack, or sign up for a money-saving subscription.
Horizon Organic has introduced Growing Years organic whole milk, developed in partnership with pediatricians to deliver key nutrients for kids age 1-5. The milk contains DHA Omega-3 for brain and eye health, choline to transport DHA throughout the body, prebiotics that feed good bacteria to the gut, and vitamin D, protein and calcium for growing bones. It's certified organic and produced by pasture-raised cows who are fed an organic, non-GMO diet and are never treated with antibiotics or added hormones.
Available nationwide at select stores for $5.99; use the store locator at horizon.com to find your nearest location.
The veggie-packed baby food pouches from Cerebelly are carefully tailored to nourish baby's growing brain and body. Created by a neurosurgeon mom and a team of medical experts, the purees contain tasty ingredient combinations (such as carrot & chickpea; sweet potato & mango) that deliver protein, omega-3 DHA and the specific nutrients your baby needs for their age and developmental stage. Pick up a three-flavor variety pack at Whole Foods or sign up on the Cerebelly website for shipments every two weeks. On the site, you'll enter information about your baby's age and current developmental milestones, and Cerebelly will recommend flavors that can benefit your babe most. You choose what you like and whether you want 1-4 pouches per day.
Available at Whole Foods and cerebelly.com ($2.31-$2.89 per pouch).
Biodynamic, Organic Pouches & Applesauce from White Leaf Provisions
Environmentally conscious parents will love these new fruit and veggie pouches and applesauce flavors (apple + pear, apple + cinnamon) from White Leaf Provisions. The offerings from this family-run business are both biodynamic and organic. You'll feel good about the delicious snacks you're feeding your kids, as well as the recyclable packaging and earth-friendly farming methods.
Available at whiteleafprovisions.com, $17.94 for a six-pack of pouches and $7.59 for a four-pack of applesauce.
Yummy new flavors of baby food and hearty toddler bowls! Happy Baby Clearly Crafted Jars ($1.25), which feature organic ingredients and the name of the farms where ingredients are grown on each jar, now come in six new flavors: carrots; green beans; carrots & peas; pears & prunes; pears, pineapple & avocado; apples, mangos & beets. The company's Happy Tot Bowls ($2.99) are full of nutritious ingredients and contain no added sugar. The new flavors are: turkey bolognese with lentil pasta, mac & cheese with organic lentil pasta & veggie sauce, and cheesy lentils & quinoa with organic cauliflower & parmesan sauce.
Sprout Foods, known for creating nutritious and delicious food that helps kids get their veggies and other nutrients, is debuting new pouches and snacks for both babies and toddlers. The exciting new offerings include organic waffles, quick-dissolving teething wafers, purees made with organic bone broth protein, four toddler smoothies (made with either yogurt or coconut milk) and two pouches of plant-based protein.
This freeze-dried baby food is packed full of nutrients and other magic: It doesn't expire and is super compact and convenient for travel (even in a carry-on!). To serve, mix the powder with water, breastmilk, formula, milk or broth. Or, for older kids, add the powder to prepared meals to up their health factor. Choose from delicious and nutritious options with clever names, including: Smashing Pumpkins (Japanese pumpkins and carrots), Goldilocks Chicken Congee (millet, barley, koshihikari rice, chicken stock, celery, carrot, bok choy and Japanese pumpkin) and Under the Sardinian Sea (wild sole, Italian white beans, tomato, oregon, basil and avocado oil.
New in January 2019 are Stonyfield Organic YoBaby Veggie Yogurt cups in purple carrot and sweet potato flavors, as well as Kids Whole Milk pouches in new flavors apple cinnamon, sweet potato, and blueberry apple carrot. The baby yogurt cups include no added sweeteners and, like all of their products, are certified organic and free from artificial hormones, toxic pesticides and GMOs. Find the new lines at Target, Publix, Hannafords and many more retailers (find a store near you). Looking for something non-dairy? Try the brand's three new non-dairy fruit and veggie smoothie pouches, made with rich coconut cream as well as half a serving of fruit per pouch. The pouches are available at Whole Foods and come in tropical twist, strawbana smash and berry cherry blast flavors.
Bowls & Bites from Yummy Spoonfuls
Yummy Spoonfuls
Calling all toddlers! Even picky eaters will love the flavor combinations in these bowls (veggie beef, sweet potato & chicken, pinto bean & turkey) and bites (turkey & spinach, chicken & sweet potato, chicken & broccoli). And parents will love that they're nutritious, organic and packed with protein, grains and veggies. And, best of all, they're specifically designed for toddlers' developmental and nutritional needs and don't contain added sugars, artificial preservatives, additives or artificial flavors. Launched in November 2018, the line also features bigger bowls designed for kids age 2 and up.
Children have a language all their own, which doesn’t always include the words to express if there is a more significant medical issue at play. When it comes to vision, your child might not realize that they aren’t “seeing well.” In children, it is much more common for vision problems to manifest in small ways. If you’re wondering if your child is experiencing vision issues, check out these six common signs.
Research shows that insufficient time spent outdoors and prolonged time spent reading, playing or working with digital devices and poor lighting may influence the development of myopia.1-3
Myopia, if you didn’t know, is when you experience blurry distance vision largely because the eye is longer than it should be. Plus, genetics and environmental factors influence myopia’s progression.4 Myopia requires ongoing monitoring because myopia can get worse as a child grows. In addition to updating their eye prescription, it can lead to long-term eye health impacts such as retinal detachment, maculopathy or glaucoma.5,6
Good news for parents: MiSight® 1 day soft contact lenses are designed for myopia control and are FDA approved* to slow the progression of myopia in children, aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment.†7
1. They Avoid Reading
Your little bookworm isn’t as interested in reading, and it’s not just the summer slide. If you have a child who normally can’t get enough of their favorite books and now appears disinterested, it could be because reading is uncomfortable due to eye focusing or eye teaming challenges.
2. They Move Closer to Things to See Well
If a child is experiencing myopia—whose primary symptom is blurry distance vision—this could manifest as moving closer to the TV or not being able to recognize faces or see signs from afar.
3. They Seem to Understand the School Concepts but Still Struggle to Keep Up, Especially with in-School Work or Projects
If your child’s teacher lets you know they are not keeping up in class, it might not be because they don’t understand the concepts. It can simply be that they cannot see the work or the teacher’s written explanation clearly. For some children, textbooks, worksheets and computer screens can look blurry, making it difficult to read. This can be because of their prescription or struggling to change focus.
4. They Seem Extra or Easily Frustrated
Any and all of the above can lead to feelings of frustration and low self-esteem in children, which can manifest in ways that aren’t necessarily related to school. If your otherwise pleasant child is now a nightmare at dinner time or flies off the handle at the slightest critique, it may be a sign that a bigger issue is at play. (It may also be a sign you have tweenager!)
5. They Squint!
While making a squishy little face can be cute, if your child is doing this frequently, especially if you’re holding something up for them to see, this is a sign that they are having trouble seeing objects at a distance.
6. Poor Hand-Eye Coordination
If there’s a marked decline in your child’s hand-eye coordination, especially noticeable in sports, playing musical instruments or other hands-on activities, it could mean they are experiencing vision problems.
If your child is struggling with a number of these common signs, it might be time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an eye care professional near you. During the appointment you can discuss if MiSight® 1 day soft contact lenses are right for them. They’re designed for myopia control and are FDA approved* to slow the progression of myopia in children, aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment.†7
RX Only
Results May Vary.
ATTENTION: Reference the Patient Information Booklet for a complete listing of Indications and Important Safety Information. *Indications: MiSight® 1 day (omafilcon A) soft (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters(spherical equivalent) with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded after each removal. Warnings: Problems with contact lenses could result in serious injury to the eye. Do not expose contact lenses to water while wearing them. Under certain circumstances MiSight® lenses optical design can cause reduced image contrast/ghosting/halo/glare in some patients that may cause difficulties with certain visually-demanding tasks. Precautions: Daily wear single use only. Patient should always dispose when lenses are removed. No overnight wear. Patients should exercise extra care if performing potentially hazardous activities. Adverse events: Including but not limited to infection/inflammation/ulceration/abrasion of the cornea, other parts of the eye or eyelids. Some of these adverse reactions can cause permanent or temporary loss of vision. If you notice any of the stated in your child, immediately have your child remove the lenses and contact your eye care professional.
† Compared to a single vision 1 day lens over a 3 year period.
References:
Gifford P, Gifford, K L. The Future of Myopia Control Contact Lenses. Opt Vis Sci. 2016;93(4):336-43
Rose KA, Morgan IG, Ip J, et al. Outdoor Activity Reduces the Prevalence of Myopia in Children. Ophthalmology 2008;115(8):1279-85.
Wolffsohn JS, Calossi A, Cho P, et al. Global Trends in Myopia Management Attitudes and Strategies in ClinicalPractice. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2016;39(2):106-16.
Morgan P. Is Myopia Control the Next Contact Lens Revolution? OPTICIAN 2016
Xu L, Wang Y, Wang S, Wang Y Jonas JB. ‘High Myopia and Glaucoma Susceptibility: The Beijing Eye Study. Ophthalmology, 2007;114(2):216-20.
Flitcroft DI. The complex interactions of retinal, optical, and environmental factors in myopia aetiology Prog Retin Eye Res. 2012;31(6):622-660.
Chamberlain P et al A 3-year Randomized Clinical Trial of MiSight Lenses for Myopia Control. Optom Vis Sci 2019;96:556-567
You’ve picked out a new backpack and finally got them to sit still for that back-to-school haircut. Whether your children are taking on the 2021-22 school year in person, online or both, they’re going to need a comprehensive eye exam. Read on to find out why you shouldn’t skip this critical step in getting your little scholars ready for the new school year.
Did you know that myopia, whose primary symptom is blurred distance vision, is on the rise—in its frequency and its severity?1 As your child grows, their myopia is likely to get worse over time, and can further impact their future eye health. Help is now available. MiSight® 1 day soft contact lenses are specifically designed for myopia control and are FDA approved* to slow myopia progression in children, aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment!†2
Good Vision Is Vital for Learning
Children who suffer from vision problems will often struggle in school. Sometimes you’ll notice they avoid reading or have trouble seeing the whiteboard or materials the teacher uses. Sometimes, their vision issues can even interfere with their extracurricular activities, like sports. So frustrating—imagine if you couldn’t see what everyone else could and you didn’t even realize it! Diagnosing a child with a vision condition early on is critical to their overall developmental success.
Early Diagnosis Is Key
Myopia, often referred to as nearsightedness, can result in the inability to see objects clearly at a distance, like the whiteboard at school. It often worsens during a child's growing years. But myopia is more than just not being able to see well. It can increase the risk of serious eye health complications and sight-threatening conditions later in life, such as risk for retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, and glaucoma.3-4
Prescriptions Can Change Year to Year
There’s a reason your child’s eye exam should be a yearly event: Children’s bodies can change quickly and so can their eyesight. Plus, children's eyes often show clinical signs of myopia even before the child experiences blurry vision, making the annual eye exam that much more important for early detection.5 Even children who did not exhibit any signs of decreased vision last year might need a prescription by the following school year. It’s important to compare changes year over year.
Increased Screen Time and Digital Devices Can Lead to Myopia
With the use of more computer screens in school, not to mention the increase in digital learning, children are online and on screens more than ever before. This can cause eye strain and can even affect their eye development, so getting those eyes checked at the beginning of the school year will help set them up for success.6
If You Have Myopia, Your Kids Might, Too
Studies show that children have a 1 in 2 chance of developing myopia if both parents have it; a 1 in 3 chance if one parent has it; and a 1 in 4 chance even if neither parent has myopia.3, 7-8 Other lifestyle factors, such as not enough outdoor time, poor lighting and increased digital screen time can influence myopia development in children.9-11
There Are Now More Options for Myopia
Like us, you probably didn't think contact lenses are an option for children. Through rigorous multi-year study, MiSight®1 day soft contact lenses on average slowed the progression of myopia by 59% in age-appropriate children.§2, 12And after six years, nearly one in four eyes originally fit with MiSight® 1 day had no progression of myopia.¶13These stunning results make MiSight® 1 day the breakthrough technology that was the first and only FDA approved* product for myopia control in children, aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment.†2
Be sure to check this important item off your to-do list and get your child scheduled for an annual, comprehensive eye exam to make sure their school year is off to a brilliant start.
Indications and Important Safety Information.
Rx only Results may vary. ATTENTION: Reference the Patient Information Booklet for a complete listing of Indications and Important Safety Information. *Indication: MiSight® 1 day (omafilcon A) so! (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters(spherical equivalent) with à 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded a!er each removal. Warnings: Problems with contact lenses could result in serious injury to the eye. Do not expose contact lenses to water while wearing them. Under certain circumstances MiSight® lenses optical design can cause reduced image contrast/ghosting/halo/glare in some patients that may cause difficulties with certain visually demanding tasks. Precautions: Daily wear single use only. Patient should always dispose when lenses are removed. No overnight wear. Patients should exercise extra care if performing potentially hazardous activities. Adverse events: Including but not limited to infection/inflammation/ulceration/abrasion of the cornea, other parts of the eye or eyelids. Some of these adverse reactions can cause permanent or temporary loss of vision. If you notice any of the stated in your child, immediately have your child remove the lenses and contact your eye care professional. †Compared to a single vision 1 day lens over a 3 year period.
§ Children aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment. ¶ -0.25D or less of change. Lenses fitted between the ages of 8-12 at initiation of treatment.
Holden BA, et al. Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036-42.
Chamberlain P, et al. A 3-year randomized clinical trial of MiSight® lenses for myopia control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019;96(8):556–567.
Xu L, Wang Y, Wang S, Wang Y Jonas JB. ‘High Myopia and Glaucoma Susceptibility: The Beijing Eye Study. Ophthalmology, 2007;114(2):216-20.
Flitcroft DI. The complex interactions of retinal, optical, and environmental factors in myopia aetiology Prog Retin Eye Res. 2012;31(6):622-660.
Mutti DO, Hayes JR, Mitchell GL, et al. Refractive error, axial length, and relative peripheral refractive error before and after the onset of myopia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48(6):2510-2519. doi:10.1167/iovs.06-0562
Lanca C, Saw SM. The association between digital screen time and myopia: A systematic review. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2020 Mar;40(2):216-229. doi: 10.1111/opo.12657. Epub 2020 Jan 13. PMID: 31943280.
Jiang X, Tarczy-Hornoch K, Cotter SA, et al. Association of Parental Myopia With Higher Risk of Myopia Among Multiethnic Children Before School Age [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 19]. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2020;138(5):1-9.
Morgan P. Is Myopia Control the Next Contact Lens Revolution? OPTICIAN 2016
Gifford P, Gifford, K L. The Future of Myopia Control Contact Lenses. Opt Vis Sci. 2016;93(4):336-43.
Rose KA, Morgan IG, Ip J, et al. Outdoor Activity Reduces the Prevalence of Myopia in Children. Ophthalmology 2008;115(8):1279-85.
Chee Wai WONG, M.D. M.C.I. Digital Screen Time During COVID-19 Pandemic: Risk for a Further Myopia Boom?. American Journal of Opthalmology. 2020.07.29
Rah MJ, et al. Vision specific quality of life of pediatric contact lens wearers. Optom Vis Sci2010;87(8):560-6.
Chamberlain P, et al. Myopia Progression in Children wearing Dual-Focus Contact Lenses: 6-year findings. Optom Vis Sci 2020;97(E-abstract):200038
We’ve all heard the adage, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” In truth, besides being associated with better memory, eating a healthy breakfast has also been linked to better test scores, increased attention span and decreased irritability in kids. That’s why we’ve synced up with a registered dietician to get the skinny on the importance of breakfast and easy ways to make it happen every morning. The major bonus is that you can score all these easy breakfast ideas at Trader Joe’s! Keep reading to see them all.
You've heard of mug cakes, now there's a new baked good in town. Trader Joe's new gluten-free Dark Chocolate and Maple Protein Muffins are made with cassava and other tasty ingredients like coconut flour, almond meal, chocolate chips, cocoa powder and more. Each one comes in their own cooking cup that just requires water or milk, then microwave for 60 seconds before indulging 12 grams of protein!
Marissa Kent, RDN, shares that "breakfast is the meal that not only helps ensure kids eat enough to support their growth, but it also replenishes their blood sugar level, which is needed to perform well in school. Breakfast foods that contain carbohydrates will replenish a child’s glucose levels."
Oatmeal or steel-cut oats are a great option. High in insoluble fiber, steel-cut oats help maintain a healthy and regular digestive system. They are naturally free of gluten, which makes them a good option for most diets, and are easily customizable by adding fruit, nuts, seeds or nut butter. Dieticians love steel-cut oats because of their low glycemic index, fiber, high iron content and their status as a complex carbohydrate, which helps to maintain a steady flow of energy throughout the day—something your kiddo needs to get through school.
Trader Joe's has you covered in the steel oat department: you can choose between the frozen or the boxed version (which requires a little more cooking).
When it comes to super health food, Açaí is here to stay. The vibrant fruit is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which mean tons of health benefits for your littles. Enjoy a faster recovery time from illness, better cognitive functioning and a more controlled appetite when you serve an Açaí Bowl for breakfast.
You can snag Trader Joe's frozen Açaí, which is priced a little under $5 and is easily combined with greens and fruit to make a nutritious breakfast that almost tastes like ice cream.
Skip sneaking protein powder into your pancakes, and just buy Trader Joe's Buttermilk Protein Pancake mix! Made with whole wheat flour, whole grain oat flour, whey protein concentrate and buttermilk powder, each serving of two flapjacks equal 10 grams of protein. Why should you pack in the protein? In addition to keeping kids full longer, protein helps to build muscle in growing littles, boosts metabolism and helps bodies repair themselves after an injury.
Do your kids love eggs? You'll want to pick up a box of Trader Joe's Egg Fritata's on your next grocery run. Each mini egg round is made with egg whites, whole eggs, and whey protein concentrate, which equates to 12 grams of protein and 15% of your daily calcium.
Also, consuming eggs is linked to better eye health, an increase in good cholesterol, better bone health as a result of calcium, and kids will get a good serving of tons of vitamins from A to Selenium.
Kent states that parents should "aim for a balanced plate with a variety of nutrient-rich foods each morning to fuel the child’s body and brain." That's why we love the easy to make multi-grain frozen waffles from Trader Joe's. After toasting one up, add fruit and nut butter to round out this tasty breakfast that meets all your kids' nutritional needs right out of the gate.
"Including a source of dairy, such as milk, at breakfast is important as it helps make sure children are getting enough calcium. Milk has been shown to be the top source of calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and potassium for kids" says Kent.
Ensuring your kids have dairy or a dairy alternative source can go a long way. A simple way to sneak it in is to blend up a smoothie that contains the calcium-rich food with leafy greens and fruit. You can find plenty of dairy and non-dairy options at Trader Joe's, like nut or oat milk, in addition to tons of frozen fruit options that will make your smoothie a cinch.
Yogurt with Fruit
Having yogurt in the morning means your kids are getting a healthy serving of protein, calcium and live cultures: All of these things work together to keep kids full longer (and have a healthier gut). On your next Trader Joe's run, check out the huge selection of dairy and dairy-alternative yogurt products like greek, creamy cashew and cultured coconut milk options.
Toss in fresh fruit and whole-grain cereal to make a fun parfait, and your kiddos will love eating healthy before you know it.
Chicken or Turkey Sausage
Do your kids love a heartier breakfast? Substituting with one of the many Trader Joe's sausage options is the way to go. Choose from tasty flavors like Sweet or Spicy Italian, or Apple Chicken when pairing with eggs or whole-grain toast.
Turkey and chicken sausages are a leaner option when it comes to meat than their pork counterpart, and are a great source of protein.
"Breakfast is a prime opportunity to provide children with a source of choline by serving eggs. Choline is important for the creation of memory cells," says Kent.
Not only can you get a healthy serving of eggs when you serve up Trader Joe's Mixed Mushroom & Spinach quiche, but you also sneak in lots of greens, too. Check out TJ's freezer aisle for several other flavors if your kids aren't partial to this version.
If your kiddo isn't super hungry in the morning, you probably already buy a decent amount of cereal to get them going. Instead of the sugar-dense options, check out Trader Joe's Organic Coconut Almond Chia cereal, and dispel any negative comments about serving up a bowl of cereal in the AM. Kent states that "Most ready-to-eat or cooked breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins and iron. Some may also be protein and fiber-rich. Kids can get a significant amount of nutrients from these cereals."
From the first moment you meet them (and probably before) you’ve done everything in your power to keep your little ones safe and sound. From doctor visits to child care, you’ve probably researched high and low to help make informed choices for your child. But do you know when your child should receive their first eye exam?
You’re not alone if you don’t! In fact, a survey from VSP Vision Care and market research agency, YouGov, found that a whopping 88 percent of parents did not know that their children should receive their first eye exam at six months old. And, twice as many parents worry about their children’s dental problems vs. their vision issues – even though most children lose their baby teeth by age 12.
We caught up with busy mom and VSP network eye doctor, Dr. Jennifer Wademan, to weigh in on the best age to get an eye exam, what to expect at the appointment, and how to find the right eye doctor for your family. Read on for our Q&A with Dr. Wademan.
At what age should my child have their first comprehensive eye exam?
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Dr. Wademan: Many parents don't realize this, but the first comprehensive eye exam should be around six months of age. You may have had vision screenings with your pediatric doctor, but a comprehensive eye exam is recommended at the age of six months.
Wow! That's surprising. Six months seems very early; why does my baby need an eye exam at such an early age?
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Dr. Wademan: A lot of important visual skills are developing and should be present around six months of age. That includes the baby’s focusing ability—the ability to fixate on something, usually mom or dad’s face. Also, color vision and depth perception. Those are really important skills that we want to make sure are present at that age.
Especially with babies it’s difficult to tell; they’re not going to be able to tell you what they're seeing or what they're not seeing, so an eye exam can help determine those visual skills.
How often should my child have eye exams?
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Dr. Wademan: The first one should be at six months and then again at three years. The next one should be five or six years old, that age right before they start kindergarten. That’s usually a really good protocol. And then after that an annual comprehensive eye exam is a must.
Remember that babies and children are building a visual library so it's really important to make sure that what they're seeing is clear and unobstructed, and that there’s no visual impairment. That way, if there are any issues present, we can address it earlier on as they're building a more accurate visual library which is essential for their growth and development. This is especially important for their success as they approach school age.
Is there anything I can do ahead of time to help my child feel more comfortable at their eye exam?
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Dr. Wademan: It depends on the age of your child: for babies at six months, making sure you're not scheduling the appointment right at nap time or right when the baby needs to eat.
For an older child, I think it's important just to prepare the child by talking to them. Tell them what to expect and address any concerns or fears they may have before the appointment. I often tell parents to bring your child in at the same time as your exam, let them sit on your lap, so they can watch you do the exam first. Then, when it's time for the child's exam, it's a little easier: they know what to expect.
Really an eye exam is probably the easiest health exam for a child (I'm a little biased). We try to make the experience fun and exciting with toys, cartoons and a treasure chest.
Are there any signs that I should look for to know if my baby/child has vision problems?
Dr. Wademan: It’s important to bring your baby or child in to an eye doctor because their regular pediatric exam is an eye screening, not a comprehensive exam. A comprehensive eye exam goes beyond just clear vision for kids— it can play an important role in mobility and eye coordination, the early detection of chronic diseases like diabetes, and creating a baseline for when changes in vision occur as the child develops.
Another thing parents may notice are eyes not tracking together (lazy eye) in children. It’s important to keep in mind that babies can’t really articulate if something is blurry. Even with older kids, when they're hitting that school age, kids can't really articulate blurry versus clear vision. If a child’s vision is blurry, that’s the picture they’re looking through and oftentimes they don’t know that they should be seeing things any differently.
Beyond ensuring clear vision, are there other eye health and overall health-related issues the eye doctor is looking for?
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Dr. Wademan: In addition to vision issues, there are other diseases that can be present, so it’s important to create a baseline at a very young age. Diabetes, eye pressure, congenital cataracts, lazy eye, all of these can occur in kids. The younger they are and the earlier we are able to treat, the better the prognosis is long term for their overall vision and health.
Starting from birth to about eight years old is where we see a lot of developmental changes and so some of those conditions that we can treat earlier on, means that they're going to be seeing clear and comfortable for years to come. There's a critical window where you want to check everything out. I’m a mom and I noticed my daughter, who is six, wasn’t doing as well in school as I thought she would. I took her to get an eye exam and it turned out she needed glasses. Keep in mind, a child’s vision can change out of the blue and fairly quickly. It’s like their shoe size— it can stay the same for a year but then change two sizes in three months. So, you just never know unless you have that comprehensive eye exam.
Anything parents should know about dilation? Is dilation safe for kids?
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Dr. Wademan: Dilation is safe for kids and is done for two reasons:
The first reason is to get a better look inside the back of the eye. Think of it like window opening, dilation makes it easier to see through thus I can see in the eye more extensively.
Secondly, it relaxes a child's whole focusing system, which allows me to get a much more accurate representation if the child has a prescription whether for nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Parents should know the eye drops can last anywhere from four-to-12 hours, and sometimes your child will get a bit tired. There aren’t really any other side effects, although for some children the eye drops may sting a little bit.
What are the most common issues you see in children during eye exams?
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Dr. Wademan: Moderate-to-higher amounts of prescriptions, whether it’s nearsightedness, farsightedness or sometimes astigmatism. The other thing I often see is lazy eye, where one eye turns out and both eyes are not focusing and working together. Any of these issues can lead to vision problems and reduced vision into adulthood if not addressed early on.
I’m not sure how to get started. What should I look for when selecting an eye doctor for my kid? Do I need to find an eye doctor who has experience with baby eye exams before making an appointment?
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Dr. Wademan: If you don't currently have an eye doctor, visit VSP.com to find an eye doctor near you. I see a lot of families from baby to teenager. Just like with any other provider, it’s important to find someone you’re comfortable asking questions and that you’re at ease with. There are specific pediatric eye doctors, but many eye doctors see babies and children through adulthood.
About Jennifer Wademan, O.D.
Dr. Jennifer Wademan
Dr. Jennifer Wademan is a VSP Network Eye Doctor currently practicing at Bidwell Optometry in Folsom, CA. She graduated from Southern California College of Optometry in 2008 and practices comprehensive optometry with training in family eye care, contact lens fittings, ocular disease, co-management of laser vision/cataract surgery and pediatrics.
Dr. Wademan enjoys her many roles at Bidwell Optometry, but also cherishes her role as mom of two girls, and a wife to an amazing husband. She is passionate about connecting with patients on a personal level and educating on a range of eye health topics. Dr. Wademan is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Calif. Optometric Association, and the Sacramento Valley Optometric Society.
Want to learn more about eye health for kids and find the right eye doctor for your family? Visit VSP.com.
