Splish Splash-- Beyond the bath!

Spring is underway and as the weather warms up, our thoughts turn to the beach, pools and other fun ways to keep cool. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the Country with lakes, ponds, canals, swimming pools and, of course, the ocean at our disposal. Safety comes first when you’re enjoying the water, especially with children around! Here are some quick tips from the site safekids.org: • Never leave your child unattended in or around water. • Give young children 100 percent of your attention when they are near or around water. • Empty all tubs, buckets, containers and wading pools immediately after use. Store them upside down and out of children’s reach. • Keep toilet lids closed and use toilet seat locks to prevent drowning. It’s also a good idea to keep doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed. • Learn CPR. Some experts say that babies can begin swimming lessons as early as 6 months old. These types of classes typically involve the parent and child together in the water, allowing the child to feel comfortable in the water and have fun splashing around. A child is said to be ready for formal lessons when they can listen to and follow directions as well as wait his or her turn. Generally speaking, this is usually around age 3-4. Whether they’re splashing around or learning the back stroke, Baby Posh Garage has the gear you need. We offer swimsuits for girls and boys in a variety of sizes, along with swim shirts, swim vests, diaper covers and more. New items arrive daily - if you don’t see the item you’re looking for, let us know and we’ll add it to your “Wish List”!

BPG Staff Blogger: L. Saussy-Hannon, Super-mom

It ain't that RUFF! Introducing Your Newborn to Your Dogs

If you’re anything like me, before babies you had pets. In my case, it was a lot of pets. I blame the nurturer in me, I just can’t resist an animal! So when I became pregnant with my daughter she was already coming in to a family of five - two parents, two large dogs and one turtle. They were our first children and we treated them as such; so a lot of planning went into the first introduction and although our oldest children took a little while to warm up to their human sister, they are now best friends! Here are my 4 tips for introducing your four legged babies to the newest additions. Before you even go in to labor let the dogs explore all the new stuff. Our house had transformed a lot before our daughter even made her debut. A whole room of stuff the dogs had never seen, a bassinet in ‘their’ (our) bedroom, a swing in the living room, a stroller in the hall. It was A LOT of stuff. So we let them interact with it all as much as they wanted in hopes they wouldn’t get jealous of the baby getting to have stuff we won’t even let them near and trust me, these dogs feel jealousy! Take an extra blanket with you to the hospital (one you won’t be upset with losing), wrap up your bundle of joy in it for a little while then let your significant other or another family member give it to the pups before you even go home. This will get them used to the smell of the baby so it won’t be a completely foreign smell when they meet. In our case the dogs sniffed it and then played tug-of-war with it until it was nothing more than shredded fabric, but hey, it still did its job! Go slowly! We were lucky enough to have family members babysitting our pups while we were in the hospital so we actually brought our daughter back to an empty house and we left it that way for a few days. Routines are hard enough to start with just a newborn! However, when the dogs returned we made sure they got love from both their parents before even entering the house (plus we had missed them!) then on leashes we let them inside where they (almost) immediately discovered the new addition quietly swinging away. We chose the swing because it was elevated and we were told from a lot of people that dogs get upset if their parents are the ones holding the new baby. Remember, you were their parents first! Let them sniff. It was so hard to not have a heart attack and pull him away the moment our nearly 80-pound dog stuck his nose in the swing to get a whiff of the tiny (barely 6-pound) human invading their space but I watched carefully and let it happen (with a terrified look on my face I’m sure!) and just as he would with another dog, he gave her a once over and went about his business.

Cesar Millan-- The famed " dog Whisperer" Adds, Our dogs are very in tune with us, so with an event as monumental as a pregnancy, your dog has already sensed that something is up. But just because she has picked up on the new feelings hanging in the air, doesn't mean that she understands what they mean. Here are a few tips for preparing your dog for the new arrival. Focus on leadership. Nine months is more than enough time for you and your pet to work through most issues and smooth out any unwanted habits, and for you to establish yourself as the unwavering pack leader. If necessary, hire a professional to work with you. You will appreciate the work you put in now when you bring your newborn home to a calm, well-behaved dog. Be aware of your energy. A pregnancy affects the entire household. You may feel excited, anxious, or worried. Remember, your dog will mirror your emotions. Claim your baby's scent. Bring an item that contains your baby's scent, such as a burp cloth, from the hospital before bringing home the baby. During this exercise, it is crucial that you set clear boundaries. Challenge the dog to sniff from a distance, while you are holding the item. By doing so, you are communicating to your dog that the item is yours and then giving permission for the dog to sniff. "This new item belongs to me, and you will need to follow my rules when around it." This helps start the process of creating respect for the baby. Establish boundaries around the nursery. I recommend starting with the nursery off-limits. Condition your dog to understand that there is an invisible barrier that she may not cross without your permission. Eventually, you can allow your dog to explore and sniff certain things in the room with your supervision. Then you decide when she needs to leave. Repeat this activity a few times before the baby arrives. This will let your dog know that this room belongs to its pack leader and must be respected at all times. Control the introduction. Start by taking your dog on a long walk. Be sure to drain all of your dog's energy. Before returning, wait at the door step; make sure your dog is in a calm-submissive state before inviting her in. Upon entering, your dog will instantly know there is a new scent in the house. If you have already introduced the scent, it will be somewhat familiar. The mother or father holding the baby must be in a completely calm state. The dog should be allowed to sniff the baby, but at a respectful distance. During this first meeting, do not bring the baby too close. Eventually, the dog can be allowed to get closer and closer to the baby. By doing this, you are teaching the dog to respect the baby as another pack leader. Teach your baby. Once your child is in the exploratory state, it is important to supervise all interactions between him or her and the dog. This is a great opportunity to teach your child not to bother the dog, yank her tail, etc. These lessons on mutual respect cannot begin early enough. Too many children have inadvertently provoked an otherwise peaceful dog, simply because they were unsupervised or their parents had not given them proper instruction. Don't forget the dog. A dog does not need toys or special attention to feel important; you simply need to maintain the routine, providing daily walks and consistent leadership. This will help your dog feel secure and allow her to relax about the new addition to the family. Forget breed. Don't assume your dog will (or will not) pose a problem based on breed alone. Sure, babies have been bitten by Rottweilers and pit bulls, but they have also been injured by labs, chows, and mixed breeds. A baby in Rhode Island was killed by a cute little Pomeranian. What is the key? Leadership. Be honest with yourself. Can you control your dog at all times in all situations? Your child's safety comes first. If, after working with a professional and on your own, you are still not 100% confident about the safety of your baby with your dog, then finding your dog another home to protect the well-being of your child and pet is a step you may have to take. Remember to always keep an eye on your baby while a dog (or any animal) is around, even the most gentle dog can slip up! Good luck with ALL your babies! Written by: BPG Staff Blogger: B Bradley, Super-mom

Homemade Baby Food is a Breeze

Homemade Baby Food is a Breeze

I am sure most moms (including me) can list a thousand and one excuses as to why they do not make their own baby food but if any of them are how hard it is or how much time it takes then you don’t have an excuse anymore! Making your own baby food is extremely easy! Even if you have to use the blender or food processor you already own and need to steam your fruits and veggies in an old-fashion pot - the process is still surprisingly easy. However, if you invest in a Baby Brezza (or one of the other baby food processors - Baby Posh Garage usually has them available) your steps are cut in half. Just cut up the the fruits or vegetables you want to make, throw it in the Brezza’s container and the Baby Brezza steams and blends it for you! It’s actually pretty amazing and made me feel completely obsolete but until they come up with a machine that feeds and changes my baby too I guess I’m not out of a job!  

You can mix whatever ingredients you want. Pre-packaged baby foods come in wacky combinations (I even came across a bizarre mix of green beans, raisins and pears!) and our children gobble it up like it’s their first piece of cake so this is the time to be creative! However, if your looking for a few recipes to get you started I have included a couple of known winners below!

Bonus tip: If you have extra, just scoop it into ice cube trays, pop the tray into the freezer and as soon as the cubes are frozen (usually about an hour or two) pile them into a ziploc bag or container and just put it back in the freezer. When you are ready to use a cube or two just leave it out for an hour or microwave for 15-30 seconds (depending on the strength of your microwave).

** ALWAYS check with your pediatrician before starting new foods **

Carrot and Pear Puree (Great for babies just starting solids!)

1. Peel and dice 3 medium carrots

2. Peel and dice 1 small pear

3. Steam until tender and blend until desired consistency (if using a Baby Brezza set for 15 minutes and walk away!)

** You can always stir in some water, breast milk or formula to make a thinner puree!

Sweet Potato, Parsnip, Apple and Cinnamon Puree

Ingredients

1/2 parsnip, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1 small sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1 small apple (or half a large apple), peeled and cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1 teaspoon cinnamon (can always add a little more to taste!)
Instructions

Steam all ingredients (minus the cinnamon) until they are tender

Blend all ingredients (add the cinnamon) until smooth
(if using a Baby Brezza combine steps 1 & 2 and put all in the container together and set for 20 minutes and walk away!)

Serve to your hungry baby :)

Written by: BPG Staff Blogger: B Bradley, Super-mom

January 2014 at Baby Posh Garage, Hollywood

FREE Events in NOVEMBER! Baby Posh Garage, Hollywood!

FREE Events in October 2013

FREE Kids Events in SEPTEMBER! Hollywood & Aventura

FREE Kids Events in July! ~Baby Posh Garage, Hollywood~ 1249 Stirling Rd~ Dania Beach~ FL~ 33004~ 954-927-POSH (7674)~

June Calendar

Summer is almost here - it is time to swim !

Certified Swimming, Infant/Child CPR/First Aid, Lifeguard Instructor and Author, Julie Gross, has created a Learn to Swim in Just 5 Days Guaranteed! program through her company, Swim with Mr. Blue.

Ms. Julie has written a children’s book entitled Swim with Mr. Blue, and from this book was created colorful puppet characters which are used in a Water Safety Puppet Show that depicts the story of the book.

Mr. Blue and his Swimming Crew were having fun one day and Mr. Blue forgot how to swim.
The Water Safety Puppet shows will entrance the children with the mesmerizing songs and the playful maneuvers of the puppet characters as Mr. Blue’s swimming crew teach him the swim techniques that he needs to remember how to swim and feel safe and secure in the water!

We were honored to have Ms. Julie, Mr. Blue and his Swimming Crew yesterday here at Baby Posh, and look forward to seeing lots of little ones safely enjoying the waters this summer.

I make milk. What's your super-power?

We all know the importance of Breast feeding - not only because of all the nutrients and protection that our child gets from our milk, but also because of the bond that we develop during those precious moments...

However, some still have misconceptions about breast feeding. "Will my breasts sag ?" Maybe, but your significant other may find you sexier as you develop your Goddess-ness. "Is it appropriate to breast feed in public ?" We Think so! You may be the victim of a few frowns in public, but don't take them too seriously. Most people respect nursing as a vital and beautiful act, so don't be shy - FEED ON!

A great resource for mothers is La Leche League International (www.llli.org), where you can get breastfeeding help, learn about breastfeeding and the law, find resources for health care providers, and much more.

Here at Baby Posh we are not yet able to offer breasts full of milk (but we are working on that !) but we have a large selection of breast pumps, nursing aprons, storage bottles, nursing pillows, nipple shields, and more.

Our goal is to help you spread your super-power anytime and anywhere. Come by for a quick intro to a breast pump or to check out our great line of accessories. Open 7 days a week!

Also: don't forget to ask about lactation support groups and recommended lactation consultants!

The joys of potty training

Potty training can be drag, but it is one of the milestones we as parents celebrate - since we start to be free from diaper changes, rashes, etc.

The Mayo Clinic has an interesting article on their website about it - just click here. And we at Baby Posh carry an assortment of tools such as books, DVDs and potty trainers to help your child become more independent. So do yourself a favor and encourage your child to use the potty whenever the time is right. As a parent myself, I will cherish the day when I won't need to buy any more diapers !

PJ Library rocks !

Have you ever heard of the PJ Library ? This is a program that supports families in their Jewish journey by sending free Jewish-content books and music on a monthly basis to children from age six months to five, six, seven or eight years depending on the community. Created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The PJ Library is funded nationally in partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, local philanthropists, and Jewish organizations.

At this time, The PJ Library is available in more than 100 communities across the United States. Each community is sponsored by a local Jewish organization and local donors who share a passion for vibrant Jewish life. You can see if PJ Library is available in your community by clicking here.

We at Baby Posh are proud to have some PJ Library books on our shelves, as a well as countless of other books to stimulate your children's intellect and creativity.

Frightening recalls on baby Slings!

We have pulled all recalled units off our shelves, and still encourage the use of a proper carrier. Our favorite, the "Baby K'tan Baby Carrier" - which we still offer here at BPG - has issued the following statement that we wanted to share with you:

"The Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC") has issued a warning advising parents and caregivers to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four (4) months old. (See CPSC Warning).

Since its inception, "safety first" has been the focal point of Baby K'tan. Baby K'tan, LLC commends the CPSC safety warning as an important milestone in helping parents and caregivers continue the ancient practice of baby wearing in a proper and safe manner.

The Baby K'tan Baby Carrier has never been subject to a CPSC recall, and our company has always maintained strict safety standards. We provide written instructions and warnings with every Baby Carrier, as well as video instructions and written instructions on our website, so that our customers are well educated on the proper and safe use of the Baby K'tan Baby Carrier. See Safety Warnings (please notice warning #7 which clearly addresses points in the CPSC warning). And, of course, our customer service personnel are available to answer individual questions.

The Baby K'tan Baby Carrier's unique double loop design was specifically designed so that infants can be held in a more upright position, as compared to traditional slings. This is meant to mimic the position in which a parent would hold a baby in their arms, with the baby's head at or close to the parent's chest. Parents and caregivers can also carry infants in the Baby K'tan Baby Carrier in a more upright Kangaroo position.

We, at Baby K'tan, have always stressed the importance of safety. Following our instructions and warnings when using the Baby K'tan Baby Carrier will help achieve a safe and secure environment for parent/caregiver and baby.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at 866.yes.ktan (866.937.5826) or via email at info@babyktan.com for any questions or concerns you may have.
Baby K'tan has joined the ASTM committee to create guidelines for safe and proper infant positioning in baby carriers and slings".

Should kids play with ink ?

Definitely ! And the result is Kids Ink - a high-end clothing line for infants, toddlers and children. They offer comfortable and fashionable apparel for hip parents who want unique and original clothing to dress their children in.

Kids Ink is inspired by pop art, whimsical fantasy, and the many different cultures we encounter in our lives. Its passion for colors and eclectic aesthetics matches the imaginative personality and expressive spirit that children have.

Kids Ink are manufactured in the USA and produced in an ethically and ecologically friendly manner

Baby Posh is proud to be offering a few select items like this amazing hoodie (and no, the baby is not for sale, although the tattoo can be arranged). So call us or - even better - come and visit us so you can turn your child into a future fashionista.

Vaccines

Confused about VACCINES???

Come by for an informative session: April 8, 2010 at 7pm

~ FREE, but limited space, RSVP required!~

Want to uncover the DANGERS of vaccines?

Meet special guest, APRIL RENEE , Keynote speaker for VIC (Vaccine Information Coalition) & Former president of TAAP (The Autism Autoimmunity Project).

***BEWARE*** We are aware that this is a SENSITIVE topic. This event is hosted by Baby Posh Garage and may or may not be in line with the belief of its owners/staff/shareholders.

We are happy to hear your thoughts, but please do not verbally attack shop staff, other clients or facebook fans or commentators on this blog or you will be REMOVED/BLOCKED permanently.

We are providing an outlet for questions from a lecturer who is presenting over 20 years of research, facts and congressional hearings.

"Your children...Your choice....Your Rights"

for more info: visit www.vacinfo.org

Models wanted

A client of ours bought some cool jeans for her kids, and the result is above - ready for the catwalk !

Send pictures of your little ones using products bought at Baby Posh and we will post them here. Who knows, we may even have a contest.

Better yet, we may host a fashion show for/with kids, with part of the proceeds going to charity! Email pics to info@babyposhgarage.com or post pics to our facebook wall!

Baby Einstein DVDs - so that your babies follow on Einstein's footsteps (minus the wild hair...)

We have just received this batch of Baby Einstein's DVDs, in excellent condition !

For those who still do not know it, Baby Einstein is one of the premier providers of educational tools for tots. Its DVDs were invented by a mother to reflect a baby's unique perspective, so Baby Einstein videos enrich, stimulate, and provide boundless opportunities for you and your little one to interact with each other.

And the cost ? An amazingly low $6.99 each ! So call now or just drop in for a visit and a chat.

An amazing book for all ages !

Fancy Nancy is back! And when her family decides to get a dog, she's certain she can be fancier than ever. After all, a papillon—a small, delicate, fluffy dog—is the ultimate accessory. But her family wants a large, plain dog. How unglamorous!
With Fancy Nancy's trademark humor and warmth, Nancy discovers that real fanciness does not depend simply on appearance but more on a genuine joie de vivre, which is a fancy phrase for having lots of fun.


Jane O'Connor is the author of more than thirty books for children, including the Nina, Nina Ballerina stories, illustrated by DyAnne DiSalvo, and the Fancy Nancy picture book series. Ms. O'Connor lives with her family in ever-posh New York City.

And now you can get this amazing book at Baby Posh - so give us a call right away !

Zen Collection Gliding Bassinet

A balance between beauty and function …

The beauty and function of this bassinet work in harmony to soothe baby. Plush bedding in premium textured fabrics and a beautiful sheer canopy create a soothing environment where baby can enjoy the gliding motion at a speed that’s just right. Music, nature sounds or simulated sounds of the womb complement baby’s soothing experience while beautiful wood accents and earthy colors of the baby bassinet complement your home décor. Fisher-Price Zen Collection™ Gliding Bassinet requires 4 D batteries.

Approx. 41½” L x 23½” W x 58” H.

Maximum Weight: 25 lbs

Better for Baby

• Gliding motion soothes baby.
• Bassinet’s songs, nature sounds or sounds of the womb offer baby variety, stimulate baby’s auditory sense and promotes comfort and security.

Better for Mom

• A beautifully designed baby bassinet to complement your home décor.
• Convenient underneath storage keeps essentials at your fingertips.
• Waterproof pad with removable washable cover for easy cleanup.
• Wheels make it easy to take it from room to room.

This retails for more than $220, but at BabyPoshGarage you can have it for a fraction of that price !

Welcome

This is the first post of our new blog, and I am so excited about it...

Here you will be able to see all the new items that are coming to our store, with detailed description, comments, etc. Also you will be able to read all about the events we are taking part on, what we are sponsoring, our charitable activities and much much more.

What you will not find: Expensive prices, hazardous items, unfriendly staff.

So please visit us frequently and we will make sure your kids will be happy, your wallet full and your closets unclogged.