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Halloween Should Be Moved to the Last Saturday of October

By Matt Douglas

This year, around 175 million Americans will celebrate Halloween. On a Tuesday. As a parent of two children, I can tell you that a weekday Halloween is very tough for families with young kids. As a CEO in the celebrations industry, I can also tell you that when October 31 falls on a weeknight, fewer people celebrate the holiday.

Sometimes I like to ask obvious questions and challenge the way things are done. When people say, “That’s the way we’ve always done it,” I perk up and question their assumptions. I want to know “Is there a better way?” and “Will more people be served with a different solution?”

When it comes to Halloween, I believe there is a better way. The time is long overdue for a cultural change that will benefit society: the official observance of Halloween should be on the last Saturday of October.

Why does Halloween have to be on the 31st of every year? There are many other holidays that aren’t tied to a specific date. Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November. The same is true for Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) and Labor Day (the first Monday in September).

Related: Let the Teens Trick-or-Treat

Halloween is mostly a kids’ and family holiday, and it should fall on a day that is best for kids and families! Not convinced about #SaturdayHalloween? Here are five reasons Halloween should be observed on the last Saturday of October.

It’s healthier for kids (and parents)

Halloween is arguably the most kid-focused holiday of the entire year, and we observe it on a school night eight out of every 10 years. Who wants to get home from work, stress about dinner, try to wrangle kids into costumes, and then be out trick-or-treating way past normal bedtime? It’s all too chaotic for most families.

The next day is a mess, too. Kids wake up the next morning overtired, and parents drag themselves to work. When Halloween is observed on a Saturday, not only will it be better for kids, but it will also be better for the sanity of parents.

It’s better for schools and teachers

When October 31 falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, students lose not just one, but two days of productivity. Halloween itself is full of distractions, but the next day is even more challenging.

Teachers have to manage a classroom of kids who have been out all night trick-or-treating and eating candy for lunch. The combination of lack of sleep and dealing with sugar-infused children is difficult. Halloween on a Saturday solves all of this. Plus, schools can schedule their Halloween parades and events on a Friday afternoon, which will help teachers better manage their class schedules. Saturday Halloween is the right thing to do for schools and teachers.

It’s safer

Halloween is a family holiday. Its most important cultural ritual is trick-or-treating. In my own neighborhood in Massachusetts, hundreds of families flock to the most popular streets downtown that are full of cars returning home from work.

If we observe Halloween on a Saturday, trick-or-treating could begin earlier in the evening before nightfall. Local authorities could block roads to protect the busiest neighborhoods. Accidents and fatalities would be reduced. It’s time we reduce possible danger and celebrate Halloween on a Saturday.

Families can celebrate together

The majority of parents work outside the home, and a weekday Halloween makes it difficult for families to celebrate together. A weekend holiday would suit working families and enable celebrations for the whole family. Extended family could gather as they do for other major holidays, and special memories can be made.

At Punchbowl, we have the data: there are more Halloween parties on Saturday than on any other day of the week. Let’s enable even more get-togethers and family celebrations on this important, memorable holiday.

Related: Halloween Brings Us Together Like No Other Holiday Can

It benefits the economy

When Halloween falls on a Saturday, it generates more revenue for the economy than weekday Halloweens. More costumes are purchased, more parties are planned, and more food and beverages are consumed. This means more jobs and higher wages, too.

Party City reported $22 million less in sales when comparing 2016 (a Saturday Halloween) to 2017 (a Monday Halloween). The impact extends to local businesses as well. If we move the official observance of Halloween to the last Saturday of October, it would not only bolster local business, but it would also provide predictability from year to year.

There are many more reasons that Halloween should be moved to the last Saturday in October and very few we should continue the old tradition of October 31. The time has come to move our national celebration of Halloween.

This post originally appeared on MattDouglas.com.

I’m an entrepreneur, investor and startup advisor with 20+ years of experience in product management, marketing and software development. Currently, I’m the founder and CEO of Punchbowl.com.

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An Easy Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe You Can Make in One Pot

by Claire Schillings

This one-pot recipe is a guaranteed crowd pleaser

We couldn’t resist this simple Tomato Basil Pasta recipe from Apron Strings—it’s literally made in one pot! Even better, it’s got tons of healthy veggies, making sure your little ones get the nutrition they need. Sounds like a dinner winner. For even more easy dinner ideas, check out our collection of 30-minute meals.

 

Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe Ingredients:

12 ounces linguine pasta
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with liquid
1 large sweet onion, cut in julienne strips
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
2 large sprigs basil, chopped
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (regular broth, not low sodium)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Parmesan cheese for garnish

Cooking Method:

1. Place pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and basil in a large stock pot. Pour in vegetable broth. Sprinkle on top of the pepper flakes and oregano. Drizzle top with olive oil.

2. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer, keep covered, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes or so. Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated – leave about an inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot–but you can reduce as desired.

3. Season to taste with salt and pepper, stirring pasta several times to distribute the liquid in the bottom of the pot. Serve garnished with parmesan cheese.

Recipe courtesy Apron Strings

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Which Grocery Stores Are Open on Christmas Day? More Than You’d Think

by Karly Wood

You can totally still find everything you need, even a last-minute gift card for that niece you left off your list, at these stores

Picture this: it’s Christmas Day and just realized you forgot to get apples for the pie. Or, maybe you don’t celebrate Christmas and you just need to buy some milk. So, what do you do? Luckily there are a decent amount of grocery stores open on Christmas that can save your day. So where should you head when your entire family is just minutes away and you need something ASAP? We’ve compiled a list of convenience and grocery stores open on Christmas Day.

But first—the bad news. While there are several convenience and grocery stores open on Christmas, some of your go-to grocers will be closed for the holiday. Grocery stores giving their employees the day off include Aldi, Costco, Hy-Vee, Giant, Kroger (hours vary by location so check your local store to confirm), Publix, Stop & Shop, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Wegman’s and Whole Foods.

Convenience and Grocery stores open on Christmas Day

  • 7-Eleven: Most locations are open 24 hours
  • Acme: most stores open at 7 a.m.
  • Albertsons: Most locations are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Bravo Supermarkets: Most locations will be operating with special hours
  • Cumberland Farms: Open from 7 a.m. to midnight
  • Circle K: Most locations are open 24 hours
  • CVS: Most locations are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Pavilions: Most are open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Safeway: Some Safeway locations will be open on Christmas, so check your local store for hours
  • Sheetz: Open 24 hours
  • Starbucks: Not a grocery store, but if you need more caffeine to survive the day you can make a pit stop as most locations will maintain regular hours
  • Walgreens: Stores that are regularly open 24/7 will stay open on Christmas, and most other locations should stay open with reduced hours
  • Wawa: Most locations are open 24 hours
  • QuickChek
  • QuickTrip: Most are open on Christmas Day

Your local stores’ actual holiday hours may vary depending on where you live, so be sure to check before you head out.

 

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Exposure to ‘Blue Spaces’ as a Child Linked to Better Mental Health

by Karly Wood

No need to get wet: being just near a blue space is great for your health

If you needed an excuse to hit the coast year then you’ll be happy to learn that going to the beach changes your brain, according to science. Actually, being near any body of water (think: lake, river or the sea) brings many health benefits for your mind and body in what scientists call “blue space.”

In fact, a new study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology reveals that exposure to blue space as a child has a major impact on a person’s mental health and will encourage them to maintain a healthy relationship with nature into adulthood.

“Building familiarity with and confidence in and around blue spaces in childhood may stimulate a joy of, and greater propensity to spend recreational time in, nature in adulthood, with positive consequences for adult subjective well-being,” says the study.

Related: 30 Things You Can Do at the Beach (Besides Build a Sandcastle)

Devon Daniel/Unsplash

The study involved 18 countries and examined the relationship between adult well being and a person’s exposure to blue space as a child. Respondents shared their experiences with blue space during childhood, including how frequently they visited it and how comfortable their parents were allowing them to be in and near water. In a nutshell: the more blue space exposure as a child equalled a better adult well being.

“Adults also had familiarity with and confidence around coasts, rivers, and lakes, as well as higher levels of joy around bodies of water and a greater propensity to spend recreational time in nature during adulthood, says WebMD. “In turn, this lifted their mood and wellbeing.”

The impact that bodies of water have on our well-being are numerous: reduced depression, increased levels of creativity, and the ability to naturally de-stress are just a few. Now you know why spending time soaking up the waves and summer sun makes you feel so amazing!

Here’s how it works. Scientists say that being near water and listening to the waves can bring you to a more meditative state and lead to reduced depression. The undulating waves are relaxing, acting as a de-stimulator and can help bring more mental clarity as well.

While your mind is in a relaxed state, you are more likely to be more creative as your brain rests. The blue state helps take you away from the everyday stressors of life and you are free to let your imagination roam. The Global Healing Center recommends literally surrounding yourself with the color blue to bring about a sense of calm and inspire creativity.

Related: 9 Ways You Can Support Your Child’s Mental Health Right Now

Andie Huber
Tinybeans

Scientists also say that a swim in the ocean can de-stress you, stat. Not only can the water feel refreshing, but the naturally occurring negative ions are also said to help counteract the positive ions we come into contact with on a day to day basis, leaving us in a more peaceful and relaxed state.

Just stepping foot onto the sandy shores of the beach does a body good. Researchers say that the simple act of touching sun-warmed sand brings almost immediate comfort––unless you’re not a sand person.

Finally, standing in front of a huge body of water can give you a fresh perspective on life. That sense of awe you feel being next to something so huge in life can really minimize the things you stress on from day to day.

The next time you’re feeling dragged down by life, why not hit up your closest beach? Indulge in the blue space––your mind and body will thank you.

 

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Coffee Linked to Lower Risk of Dying, So Moms Are Basically Immortal

by Julie Scagell

Good news for coffee drinkers (so, all moms). Moderate consumption of “unsweetened and sugar-sweetened coffee” has been shown to increase longevity, according to a new study. That’s right. Pour that second cup as you chase your family out the door in the morning and go about your day.

The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, found people between the ages of 37 and 73 who drank 1.5 to 3.5 cups of coffee per day (even with a teaspoon of sugar) were around 30 percent less likely to die than those who didn’t. In fact, the more you drink (to a reasonable point), the lower your risk of dying.

Researchers found people who drank unsweetened coffee were 16 to 21 percent less likely to die (we know, it sounds morbid), and those who consumed three cups per day had the lowest risk when compared to noncoffee drinkers. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can go to your local Starbucks and order a triple grande vanilla latte with added whip. “All bets are off when it comes to matching this with a latte, a Frappuccino, the super mocha whipped whatever,” said Dr. Eric Goldberg, a clinical associate professor of medicine at the N.Y.U. Grossman School of Medicine. These drinks are higher in calories, fat, deliciousness, etc.

But the study results had researchers and coffee drinkers celebrating. “It’s huge. There are very few things that reduce your mortality by 30 percent,” said Dr. Christina Wee, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a deputy editor of Annals of Internal Medicine.

For this study, researchers looked at coffee consumption data collected from more than 170,000 people from the U.K. Biobank, a large medical and health information database from people across Britain. The mortality risk remained lower across the seven years they followed participants, which included both decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee drinkers. The data was inconclusive for people who used artificial sweeteners, so clearly, real sugar is the way to go.

This isn’t the first study to find such results. Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles tracked more than 185,000 people over 16 years and found people who drank one cup of coffee per day were 12 percent less likely to die during the course of the study than those who didn’t drink any.

It’s official. Parents can keep fueling their bodies with the brown stuff all day. Science said so, and we’re exhausted. Let us have this.

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Help Preserve Your Child’s Vision Now

by Nora Buchholtz
Partner Content

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!

*ACUVUE® Abiliti™

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Meditation for Parents: A Guide for Beginners

by Annette Benedetti

As rewarding as parenting is, a certain amount of stress comes with the territory (kids, job, home management!). The good news is that recent studies show that the benefits of meditation are abundant, and when practiced regularly, it can significantly reduce anxiety. If you would like more harmonious home life but aren’t sure where to begin, read on for a quick and easy guide on everything you need to know about how to meditate.

The Basics

Benjamin Child via Unsplash

What is meditation?
You can hardly walk down the street without catching a snippet of conversation or pass by a yoga studio with signage touting the wonders of meditation. As widely publicized as the practice is, meditation remains a mystery to many.

Simply put, meditation is a mind and body practice that involves focusing your attention on a single point of reference and away from distracting thoughts and external stimuli that cause anxiety. Parents are, by necessity, multitaskers. Moms and dads spend most of their time considering what happened earlier in the day and what has to be done tomorrow, all while cleaning the house and making work calls simultaneously. Meditation practice gives practitioners five, 10, 30 or more minutes a day of simply living in the present.

The Benefits of Meditation
Meditation is particularly effective at helping parents to manage stress levels, but studies show it offers other benefits. Along with addressing anxiety, it helps reduce and manage feelings of anger and hostility, as well as psychological distress. Regular meditation practice has also been shown to be good for heart health, as it lowers blood pressure—particularly for people at risk for high blood pressure. Additional benefits include relief from symptoms of IBS and colitis, help with insomnia and pain management.

Types of Meditation

Madison Lavern via Unsplash

Confusion over the practice of meditation often comes from the variations that exist. Here we break down the most common types of meditation that are practiced.

Mindfulness Meditation
By far one of the most popular approaches, the mindfulness practice is easy to start on your own. Practitioners find a quiet spot where they can sit comfortably and then, without judgment, take note of how their mind wanders. The idea is to quietly observe your thoughts without experiencing them as pleasant or unpleasant. This practice helps develop inner peace and emotional balance.

Breath Awareness Meditation
A variation on the Mindfulness Meditation, this version calls for the practitioner to find a quiet place to sit where they can remain undisturbed and focus their attention on the breath. This practice can include counting breaths or focusing on the sensations it creates in the body. When thoughts enter the mind or distract from the breath, practitioners are encouraged to gently and without judgment take note and shift their focus back to breathing. This practice improves concentration and reduces anxiety.

Mantra Meditation
Much like other forms of meditation, this practice involves finding a quiet place to focus attention on a mantra, phrase or word. The mantra can be chanted out loud or thought without being spoken. It is repeated for a set period, and when the mind wanders, it is brought back to the message. The most common mantra is the chanting of the word Om, which is commonly practiced in yoga classes. Words and phrases that are often favored for this meditation are "peace," "I am at peace," "let go" or "relax." This practice reduces stress, invokes the state of mind suggested by the mantra and helps the practitioner feel grounded.

Loving Kindness Meditation
Aptly named, this meditation is perfect for the burnt-out parent who doesn’t think they can make it through one more toddler fit or night without sleep. After a short time of focusing on breathing, the practitioner opens himself or herself to receiving love and sends messages of love and kindness to specific individuals and the global community. This practice helps reduce tension and cultivate feelings of acceptance, support and love.

Body Scan Meditation
This meditation is extremely effective at reducing stress. It is done either sitting or laying down and involves slowly scanning the body for hidden tension or stress. When you find a tensed muscle or unintended tightening in an area of your body, you concentrate on releasing it. One approach to this practice includes progressively tensing and relaxing the muscles as you move from head to toe.

Guided Meditation
During this practice, you receive guidance from a trained professional. This can be done in a class setting, with a counselor or while listening to a recorded audio file. The meditation may include music and will ask that you visualize or focus on cues given to you by your instructor. There are an array of guided meditations available depending on the result you are seeking. There are guided experiences designed to evoke relaxation and feelings of well-being or to help you achieve desired goals.

 

Meditation for Beginners

Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels

Getting Started
Time tends to be the biggest obstacle most parents fear will keep them from maintaining a regular meditation routine. But, research suggests that even 10 minutes a day makes a big difference in your stress level and your outlook on life. Follow these simple steps to starting your home meditation practice.

Step 1: The first step to starting your home practice is finding just 10 minutes of alone time a day (preferably at the same time each day). Some time opportunities to consider are first thing in the morning before the kids get up or while you are waiting for your coffee to brew. If you have a partner, have them give you a short break each day.

Step 2: Find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed for the duration of your practice. The bedroom or a reading nook works perfectly. Make sure you have pillows, cushions or a chair to ensure optimal relaxation.

Step 3: To remove concerns about time, set a timer that will let you know when you’ve reached your meditation goal. This will allow you to let go of that common distraction.

Step 4: Begin your practice. If you have chosen a breathing meditation, let your focus turn inward. If you have a guided meditation, begin your listening experience.

When your practice is over, slowly bring the focus back to your surroundings. Gently open your eyes and take your time getting up and moving around. Let the effects of the practice take hold.

Helpful Tips

Engin Akyurt via Unsplash

Life with kids is unpredictable; there are plenty of things that can get in the way of maintaining a regular meditation practice. The following tips will help you navigate the unexpected and commit to doing this very important exercise that is just for you.

1. While finding a quiet spot to sit or lie down for your practice is optimal, meditation can be done anywhere. Consider a five-minute meditation while waiting in the car to pick up the kids from school. Practicing while walking is another wonderful option. Put your fussy toddler in a stroller and go for a walk. Turn your attention to your breaths or the rhythms of your steps for a focal point.

2. If you feel you need some guidance, try one of these popular meditation apps. We especially like Headspace and Calm because they offer a variety of practices.

3. If you can’t fit 10 minutes in, then try for five. Consistency is key, and all efforts pay off.

It may feel selfish to take time just for you when you have little ones to look after, but remember, the healthier and happier you are, the healthier and happier your whole family will be—and that's just one of the reasons you should meditate. If finding time seems truly impossible, get your kids involved in their practice. You can let them learn along with you or check out some of the apps, games or meditation videos that are available for kids—like those on Hulu. Meditation is something everyone in your crew can do, and the result will keep your whole household feeling connected

—Annette Benedetti

 

RELATED STORIES:

Hulu Kids Launches Mindfulness & Meditation Content & It’s What Parents Need

3 Genius Ways Busy Parents Can Work Meditation into Their Daily Routine

Mom-Friendly Meditation Apps for a Centered New Year

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Considering an Air Purifier? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

by Kenzie Kramer
Partner Content

From school to home—and everywhere in between!—parents are paying a lot of attention to air quality these days. And while there’s a whole big world out there, you can add a helpful device to breathe cleaner in your living space: an air purifier. Since you’re no stranger to wiping sticky hands, vacuuming endless cracker crumbs and tackling a plethora of household messes, this must-have gives your air a good cleaning too! Keep reading to get everything you need to know about in-home air purifiers:

Get your air purified today with Molekule.

 

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Air purifiers work their magic by getting rid of odors, allergens, dust and other unwanted airborne substances. (Yep, there’s a whole bunch of stuff living with us we can’t even see!). The fan component sucks in air which is then forced out through a filter, trapping pollutants—some of which can cause adverse health effects or aggravate allergies and asthma. Simply put: dirty air in, clean air out. By minimizing contaminants, the quality of the air circulating around your home improves. How’s that for a breath of fresh air?

Cool! But Let’s Get Back to Those Pollutants… What Should the Air Filter Remove?

Sources of air pollution include: 

  • Particulate matter: This is a mix of solid particles and liquid droplets of differing sizes suspended in the air (think dust and dirt). Since PMs are so small, people often don’t notice they’re even breathing them in.
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): These can be found in cleaning products, disinfectants, paints and solvents, aerosol sprays and pesticides. Not all VOCs are harmful to our health, but some may cause an allergic reaction for those with sensitivities. Although they evaporate at room temperature, they can quickly become part of the air that you breathe when using them.
  • Bioaerosols: Emitted or released from living beings, bioaerosols include mold, bacteria, viruses and allergens like pollen, dust mites and pet dander.

 

Get your air purified today with Molekule. Students, educators and first responders get a 15% discount code with SheerID verification.

Are All Air Purifiers Created Equal When It Comes to Cleaning Indoor Air?

Not all air purifiers can handle the same type of pollutants effectively. Molekule uses Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) technology to collect and destroy (through a light-activated chemical reaction) the widest range of pollutants in the air we breathe, compared to traditional air purifiers. PECO technology traps large particles and breaks down harmful pollutants to their most basic molecular components, including VOCs, mold, bacteria, viruses and allergens. Thanks to nanotechnology, PECO is able to destroy pollutants 1,000 times smaller than what HEPA standard tests for. Better yet, PECO meets rigorous performance criteria in FDA guidance for use in helping reduce risk of viral exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus. It’s important to note that while an air purifier can help reduce exposure, it should be combined with PPE and other countermeasures suggested by government authorities.

What Size Do I Need?

This depends on where you’re using it! A small office requires a different size than a large home. Molekule has several versions:

  • Molekule Air is for large rooms up to 600 sq. ft. (large bedrooms, living rooms, and family rooms)
  • Molekule Air Mini is for small rooms up to 250 sq. ft. (studio apartments, kids’ bedrooms, and home offices) 
  • Molekule Air Mini+ has the features of Air Mini with a couple of extras including a sensor to measure airborne particulate matter levels and Auto Protect mode to regulate fan speed for optimal air purification
  • Molekule Air Pro is for extra-large rooms up to 1000 sq. ft. (open floorplans or office settings)

Ready to say peace out, pollutants? With school on the horizon, now’s the perfect time for peace of mind that you’re improving the air your family breathes at home. 

Get your air purified today with Molekule. Students, educators and first responders get a 15% discount code with SheerID verification.

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New Infant & Toddler Feeding Guidelines You Need to Know

By Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson

Food allergies, unfortunately, affect 6 million children, and rates of allergies continue to climb with a near-doubling of children affected since the previous generation. Thankfully, new research guides the way to reverse the growing number of children with food allergies. For the first time, we know ways we can reduce risk and help protect children from developing allergies in the first place.

Guided by science, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) now recommend introducing common allergens at around 4-6 months of age. By feeding these foods early in life, before an allergy has ever developed, parents have the opportunity to change the risk for their children.

3 Key Takeaways for Parents

  1. The guidelines recommend introducing your baby to commonly allergenic foods like peanuts, egg, cow milk products, tree nuts, wheat, crustacean shellfish, fish, and soy at 4-6 months. 

  2. The guidelines suggest that introducing common allergens regularly can reduce the risk of your baby developing a food allergy.

  3. The guidelines urge for a variety of complementary foods every day. Diet diversity is great for babies and is a key early habit in lifelong, healthy eating.

The dietary guidelines are a perfect roadmap to help give parents easy, achievable ways to feed their baby the best way. The guidelines specify to “make every bite count.” We know that there is a big gap in the types of baby food available at the grocery store. Most commercially available baby foods lack the essential food groups needed to ensure diet diversity and thriving tummies for your little ones as they grow. Parents need to make a plan to get these into a baby’s diet and keep it in a baby’s diet.

By introducing peanuts, eggs, cow’s milk products, tree nuts, wheat, soy, and shellfish, and fish (all of these can be found in SpoonfulONE) with other complementary foods, you can reduce your child’s risk of developing an allergy to that food. Furthermore, pediatricians agree there is no evidence that delaying the introduction of allergenic foods, beyond when other complementary foods are introduced, helps to prevent food allergy. In fact, delaying introduction can increase risk for babies.

So don’t wait and go slow, when you’re starting solids. Consider trying 100 new foods in 100 days! Parents should feel empowered and confident about feeding their babies early. Maintaining a diverse diet is the key as this isn’t a one-and-done “test.” Aim to feed your babies diverse foods and common allergens regularly—every day if possible, but at least several times per week. Consistency is key here.

We cannot change the modern environment quickly, but we can change the allergy in food odds for our children. 

RELATED:
Why Baby-Led Weaning Was One of Our Best Parenting Moves. Period.
Ask the Allergist: What Is a Food Allergy?
 

Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE, FAAP is a pediatrician and Chief Medical Officer for SpoonfulONE. Dr. Swanson is an author, a prominent advocate of evidence-based medicine, & devotes her career to prevention strategies. She fosters conversations with clinicians & parents around the importance of early and consistent feeding of common food allergens.

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You’ll Want to Park Your Lunch in Tupperware’s Outdoorsy New Line

by Sarah Shebek

When you’re mindfully adventuring outside with your family, you’ll remember to Leave No Trace. And Tupperware’s partnership with the National Park Foundation makes it cost-effective and stylish to minimize waste. A new line launched to celebrate the National Park Service’s 105th birthday is available now, perfect for your picnics and camp meals!

All four items feature a limited-edition, desert-inspired or mountain forest parks print. The reusable water bottle ($10) and the ECO+ To-Go Cup ($9) help you hydrate for hikes or enjoy a toasty cup of morning brew. The ECO+ Sandwich & Snack Keeper Set ($13.50) level up from a plastic bag or aluminum foil and keep your fuel fresh for any excursion.

The two brands also co-commissioned a survey that revealed American’s commitment to cutting down on waste. Most (84%) said they believe reducing waste can help preserve national parks for future generations and 83% said they wished it was easier to reduce the amount of waste generated. These new products will certainly make sustainability easier for the whole family.

You can buy the new products at select gift shops in or near national parks, or online. Happy eco-friendly adventuring!

––Sarah Shebek

All images courtesy of Tupperware

 

RELATED STORIES

Tupperware Takes Lunches to the Next Level

This Is the Greatest Kitchen Hack Discovery Since Tupperware Was Invented

Make Your National Park Trip Amazing With These Park Ranger Tips

 

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