M—MO—MOM—MOMM—MOMMY! Getting your baby to say their first words is so exciting! Hearing them say mommy or daddy is truly a special moment. However, getting there can sometimes become frustrating. Don’t lose hope; they will eventually start to talk. Once they are a toddler, you’ll wish you had a little more silence! Here are five ways to encourage baby’s first words:

1. Read!One of the best things you can do for baby is to read to them. Reading not only will help you two to bond, but it will also encourage them to speak. Try asking them to say a word that is in the book, and if they don’t, it’s okay. It will happen eventually so it’s important that you practice, but don’t force it. I worked reading to my son into our bed time routine. He was about 6 months old when we started and it was a great way to calm him down before lights out. This is something we still do and he is ten! We both love it. TIP: Try visiting your local library, they often have baby story times.

2. Two-way communicationDo you talk to your baby, or at your baby? It is important that from the second they are born, you communicate with them and listen to them when they are communicating with you. Tell them when you are going to pick them up and watch out for signs that they want to be picked up. Communication is a two-way street, even with babies who cannot talk. Do not underestimate the power of non-verbal communication.

3. Be AuthenticAlthough it is cute to talk to baby in a baby voice, it’s not always best. It is important that you are authentic with your child and treat them like they are a person, not a toy. This will also serve as a model for babies on how they should eventually be talking.

4. Ask QuestionsAnother way to try and get baby to talk is by asking them a lot of questions. “Can I pick you up?” “Do you want to go to the park?” “Wasn’t the library so fun!” “How funny are grandma and grandpa?” “Do you like your carrots?” The more questions you ask baby the more opportunities you give them to answer. If you don’t get an answer, answer them yourself! Yes, you may sound a little crazy, but it’s important for baby to see what a conversation is like.

​5. Listen!Sometimes your baby’s mmm’s and aaa’s are them trying to say something! Instead of talking over, let them go on. Your baby needs time to try talking out on their own. Although talking to them a lot is great for their vocabulary, sometimes there needs to be silence. You may be shocked at what you hear next!

Written by Nicole Zoellner from NizoWear.com 

Nizo Wear is the first nursing bra to have a unique, patented pocket in the pull-down flap that can hold a heating or cooling pack helping bring moms relief and healing faster while being extremely comfortable and super chic.
Nizo Wear nursing bras were inspired by the real-life experience of the company’s founder, Nicole Zoellner. When Nicole became pregnant with her son, she eagerly read all the materials her doctor had given her about the benefits of breastfeeding. She happily anticipated the feelings of serenity and bonding that nursing promises mother and infant.
So, Nicole set out to do for other nursing moms what no-one had been able to do for her: provide a practical, comfortable way to get relief from the soreness breastfeeding mothers often experience. Her design was patented, andNizo Wear was born.

Visit www.nizowear.com for more information.
​
Interested in writing a guest blog for Nizo Wear? Send your topic idea to Customerservice@nizowear.com.
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Nizo Wear makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Tips on Making Bath Time Fun with Baby
If you’re like many parents, you’ll find that one day your little one doesn’t seem to like the bath tub any more. He or she 

may start to cry at the sound of the running water. This often happens when you transition them from their little infant tub to the big, scary bathroom. A slip or a face full of water that normally wouldn’t bother them before may suddenly become a big deal.
You can allay their fears by turning the bath into a fun experience. First, expect to spend more time in the tub than is necessary to get clean. Let them play and explore in the water under your supervision. If they’re having fun and you aren’t in a rush, let them stay in a while longer. Then, use one or several of the following tips to make it all more fun.

2. Food Coloring
Add some food coloring to the water to create a totally new experience. Pour drops in separate corners of the tub for zones of different colors and let your baby splash around and mix them up.

2. Ice
Grab a few cubes and drop them in the tub. Your little one can chase them around and try to catch them before they melt. This is good for their coordination and fine motor skills. Bonus: Add some food coloring to the ice beforehand for a colorful display.

3.  Cups and Bowls
Bring an assortment of plastic cups and bowls to scoop and pour water. Pour on their arms and legs so they learn that bath time is fun and shouldn’t fear it.

4. Washable Markers or Bath Crayons
Let your baby have a blast drawing and coloring all over the tub and tile walls. They can even color on themselves. Since it’s all washable, it’ll come right off in the bath, and the tub is easy to clean.

5. Foam Shapes
You can find foam shapes in most toy stores, department stores, or dollar stores. When the foam gets wet, they’ll stick to most surfaces. If they don’t come in varying sizes, cut them into pieces so you can arrange funny pictures on the wall.

6. Spray Bottle
Fill a standard spray bottle with water and let them shoot it all over. If you’re up for it, let them get you a bit wet too! Add some food coloring so they can distinguish their sprays from the bath water.

7. Glow Sticks
Drop a few glow sticks in the tub and switch off the lights. Your whole bathroom will light up in different colors! Once you’ve finished, toss the glow sticks in the freezer to keep them for next time. Bonus: Use submersible LED lights that can be safely dropped in the water to play games with.

8. Music
​Leave a music player right outside the bathroom and encourage your little one to dance and splash around the tub. The excitement and fun will teach them that baths aren’t just a chore.

We’re coming upon the start of Breastfeeding Awareness Month. We here at Nizo Wear feel that helping to spread breastfeeding awareness is important. You don’t need to donate money or protest in the street, just have a conversation with the women in your life about the benefits (and misconceptions) of breastfeeding. If you know a new mom, here are some do’s and don’ts you can pass along to her.
DO make sure that breastfeeding is well established before introducing the bottle nipple. Otherwise you can cause confusion. Wait about four to six weeks.

DON’T be the one to introduce the bottle first. Let someone else so baby only identifies you with breastfeeding

DO eat a well-balanced diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein. Whatever you eat, your baby eats too.

DON’T rush the introduction of solid foods. Breast milk-only diets are safe for the first six months. Introduce solid foods when baby is sitting up and interested in it. Every child is different, but this could be anywhere from four to six months of age. Breast milk changes as your child grows to keep up with nutritional needs. For more information on introducing solids check out this free webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xorGn2eMUPI

DON’T accept painful breastfeeding. There’s no award for toughing it out. When done properly, it shouldn’t hurt (aside from some mild soreness the first week).

DO breastfeed, not “nipple feed.” As you bring your baby to your breast, compress your breast in your hand into a pointy shape and sending it deep into your baby’s mouth. This will help him get a good latch. But don’t stuff it into his mouth; you want to get him used to the idea of coming to you.

DON’T get discouraged. If your baby’s latch is hurting you, allow him to try again. You want him to nurse deeply so it’s a pain-free experience for everyone.

DO swiftly bring your baby to your breast when you pick him up. This will help him latch deeply.

DON’T allow problems to go on unsolved. Trust your instinct. If you are in pain, you feel your baby isn’t soiling enough diapers, or you’re unsure for any reason, speak to a lactation consultant.

DO eat about 300-500 more calories than normal. Also, increase your fluid intake.

DON’T smoke, drink, take medications without consulting your doctor, or eat foods that seem to upset your baby.

DO start breastfeeding within an half an hour after delivering. This early contact is good for both mom and baby and you get a chance to practice under the watchful eye of a nurse or lactation specialist.
​
DON’T wait for baby to start crying before nursing. It’s very difficult to convince an upset baby to latch properly. If you think it’s time, offer your breast.

DO breastfeed whenever baby is hungry, regardless of time or place. Restricting baby’s eating schedule and affect development. If you are feeling nervous about breastfeeding in public invest in a nursing cover to give you and baby a little privacy. Check out our made in the USA scarves here.

DON’T switch breasts too early. Let baby finish a breast before moving to the other (and starting on the fuller one next time). If you switch early, baby fills up on foremilk (the watery milk at the start of the feeding) rather than the nutrient-rich hindmilk.

DO be patient and confident. No one was an expert on their first day.

For more great breastfeeding tips check out our breastfeeding 101 webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlr0l6TRVqI

Breastfeeding may be a simple process but it is not always easy. Here are a few tips and must-have tools every mom should know. PLUS, we are pairing up with the amazing Undercover Mama to offer you a giveaway that will get any breastfeeding mama set up in style. Enter to win below.
Five Breastfeeding Tips Every Mom Should Know:

1. Nursing bras are a necessity! Not only can a nursing bra make a new mamma’s life easier and more comfortable, but it can prevent certain breastfeeding related health issues. Some women use their regular bra and just pull up the cup to nurse. That may work ok for some but unfortunately, the cup that is pulled up pushes on breast tissue and may cause plugged ducts and mastitis (not fun). Plus, it can be uncomfortable. Comfort is key, and as a nursing mama, you deserve it!! Also, wearing the correct nursing bra size will help prevent neck and shoulder aches and pains and plugged ducts. Click here to get more information on how to pick a well fitting nursing bra (http://nizowear.com/how-to-pick-a-well-fitting-nursing-bra/)

2. Find a nursing expert you trust! A knowledgeable lactation consultant is an amazing asset and could mean the success or failure of your breastfeeding attempt. Breastfeeding is simple, but it is not always easy. Knowing someone who can help in times of need will make your breastfeeding experience so much happier. Many communities have free breastfeeding groups for women to attend that is run by a Lactation Consultant. These offer amazing support, education and a chance to weigh your baby. One in our local area that is wonderful is called the Breastfeeding Bunch. Read here to see what services they offer and what you should look for: http://family-garden.org/classes/breastfeeding/

3. Your breasts do amazing things! Here are a few tips for engorgement and Letdown relief.

Breast engorgement is the swelling of the veins/tissue and the sudden presence of milk volume in the breasts. Your milk will come in sometime between day 2-5 after deliver. The time your milk comes in can be affected by several factors. Your birth experience, health status, medications you are taking and exhaustion. For most, There is no question when your milk comes in. I went from a B/C cup to a DD! I felt like they may explode! A few things that will help you gain some relief during this time are: Nursing your baby frequently, using a warm or cool compress (whichever feels better to you-for me it was cool), and wear a supportive bra. Nizo Wear Nursing bras include a pocket in the flap that allows you to place a warm/cool pack in it with a piece of fabric barrier for added comfort and relief.

 Letdown: this refers to the action of your breastmilk being released from the glands and traveling down the ducts toward the nipple to be excreted for your baby to eat. The letdown response can be uncomfortable at the beginning. For me it was. It felt like it feels when your hand or foot falls asleep and the blood is returning- that strong tingling sensation only on your nipple areola area. It was pretty intense. The good news is that it only lasts for 10-15 seconds. Not all experience this but most do. Placing a warm compress on your breast a few minutes before you are going to nurse may help decrease this sensation. (For more details check out: http://nizowear.com/what-to-expect-the-first-2-weeks-of-breastfeeding/)

4. Must-have tools to make your breastfeeding experience more pleasant.Warm/Cool Pack-This helps with engorgement, letdown, plugged duct and mastitis relief. We like Earth Mama, Angel baby’s Booby Tubes (which fit perfectly in all Nizo Wear Nursing Bras)
Nipple cream– Your nipples may become sore or cracked. This means your latch is not correct. Seek an experts advice to clear up your problem. In the meantime, treat with a nipple cream like mother love’s herbal cream.
Washable bra pads-some women leak a lot. Nursing pads help keep lactating breasts dry in order to prevent thrush or infections. We like WillowSprouts organic cotton pads.
A quality breastpump– This is a must-have if mamma has to go back to work or to simply give her a few hours to get out of the house once breastfeeding is established.
(More must-have’s here: http://nizowear.com/must-haves-for-moms-who-plan-to-breastfeed/)
​
5. Trust your instincts! You know your body and your baby best. If you feel like something is wrong and you are not getting answers from your pediatrician or nurse get a second opinion (or sometimes even a third). No one person has all the answers. Hospital Lactation Consultants told me my son’s latch looked normal and he was gaining weight and some nipple soreness in the beginning was to be expected. I had an amazing lactation consultant give me a second opinion because the pain for me was unbearable and she spotted the problem instantly. She saved my breastfeeding experience and I am so grateful for her. I hear stories like this often. Another mom found a simple solution, like mine, after what she called four months of breastfeeding hell. Check out her story herehttp://nizowear.com/desperate-breast-feeding-moms-reveal-secrets/.

We have teamed with Spray Pal to give you an amazing giveaway of new mom must-haves in honor of Spray Pal 2.0’s birthday celebration. We give and you win!
Every gift is at least a $50 value (yup, you read that right) and this prize pack is work over $200!!!
Here are the details:

1. $50 Gift Card for Lalabye Baby cloth diapers – Lalabye cloth diapers feature color coded sizing, adjustable absorbency, snap closures and waterproof insert stoppers.

2. Push Pack – pre-packed hospital bag makes new mom’s lives much easier! It includes: Lather® shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, facial soap,  loofah, shaving cream & razor,  Crystal deodorant wipes, comb & hair band, Earth Mama Angel Baby® lip balm & bottom balm, Tom’s of Maine toothpaste & toothbrush, breast pads, maxi pads, disposable underwear, nail file, playing cards, Motherlove Organic Nipple Cream®, notepad, thank you cards & pen, gum, lollypop, snacks, exclusive Cutest Baby Ever sticker for baby from Stickybellies.

3. Gift Card for a 30 Day Box of Milkin’ Cookies – Milkin’ Cookies was founded by two physicians who wanted options for increasing breast milk production.  they found that there is excellent evidence for whole grains boosting milk production in dairy science.  They also found that across many cultures, new moms traditionally eat certain foods.  Not surprisingly, it turns out that these foods are often galactagogues (a galactagogue is any substance that increases breast milk production).  They were very excited to find out that one could boost breast milk production without side effects by eating certain foods, and when they realized that they could get the benefits from these food galactagogues while eating a daily cookie, well, let’s just say they did a little happy dance.
​
4. $50 Gift Card for Nizo Wear Nursing Bras – The only nursing bra with a patented healing pocket AND removable molded pads. These bras give you amazing shape, lift and protection from leaks. Not only are they functional, but they are pretty too! Our Infinity Scarves double as a nursing cover so you can be discreet while being stylish and eliminating carrying one more item in your diaper bag. Plus, they include our signature pocket. Trust us, you will never want another scarf without a pocket!

"Home based businesses are the biggest block of all businesses in existence and we expect numbers to grow ever greater as extra bedrooms, kitchen tables, basements and garages increasingly host the innovative thinking and pursuit of success by millions of Americans.”
“We are honored to win this award and are amongst great company with the other amazing top business winners”, says CEO/Founder Nicole Zoellner from Nizo Wear.
The StartupNation Home-Based 100 highlights 10 top-ten lists making it not just your ordinary business ranking. From the wackiest, to the most innovative, to the best financial performers – this unique and diverse list highlights the home-based businesses that usually go unrecognized, but still play a vital role in the economy today. The ten categories for 2014 include:

• Most Innovative
• Boomers Back in Business
• Greenest
• Yummiest
• Wackiest
• Highest Vote-Getters
• Recession Busters
• Most Slacker-Friendly
• Most Glamorous
• Savviest in Social Media

The full results of the Home-Based 100 ranking are available on StartupNation’s website at: www.startupnation.com/home-based-100/WINNERS.php .