Dr. Geary Recommends: Summer Edition!

July 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I rarely shop- as a pediatrician and mother of three I tend to shop on-line, late at night. So I am always searching and researching for the very best products and then I stick with them- especially when it comes to my children. Since it is half way through the summer (oh no) I thought I would update my “It List”- nothing too trendy, just high quality, eco-responsible, and most importantly, healthy and safe items:

1. Barlean’s Organic Oils: Barlean’s has just come out with the “Omega swirl”, an omega-3 flax oil supplement which contains the highest quality omega-3 fatty acids but is also, miraculously, something your child will actually take! Strawberry-banana or Lemon-Zest flavors with a consistency like a smoothie and an impressive 750 mg of EPA/DHA per serving, the Omega Swirl will help your child get the recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids, especially if your child doesn’t like fish. Check out: www.barleans.com

2. Sage Baby NYC: Two brilliant moms with business savvy who pick the best of organic. I bought their recommended air-purifier when my baby starting wheezing and it has made a huge difference. Check out: www.sagebabynyc.com

3. Florastor: I have recommended Florastor Kids, a probiotic, for many of my patients, and for good reason. They come in convenient powder packets that can be carried around and mixed in juice, applesauce, ice cream. Florastor restores normal bowel function, strengthens intestinal immunity, maintains intestinal health and prevents diarrhea. It contains “healthy” bacteria to promote a healthy digestive system, leading to better nutrient absorption and less stomach discomforts. Florastor can be taken daily or when your child has stomach discomfort. Check out: www.florastor.com

4. a b sea baby: My youngest daughter loves their beautiful blue yoga-pants-style pants, and I would recommend this brand for any mother interested in their baby’s comfort and an easy wash. The baby-soft blend of 70% natural silk, 30% organic cotton that is 100% washable and very chic! It is naturally wrinkle-resistant, hypoallergenic, and all weather. These adorable baby clothes are all natural and organic. Check out: www.abseababy.com

5. Adiri Natural Nurser: These chic bottles have no polycarbonates, BPA, latex or phthalates, and the breast-like nipple makes for an easy transition from breast to bottle feeding. Winner of the Medical Design Excellence Award for 2008, these bottles are green, practical and adorable. Check out: www.Adiri.com

I hope you try some of these great products—your child will thank you.

Posted by Dr. Natalie Geary MD | Filed Under Dr Geary Recommends 

Finding Myself

July 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The other evening I got very frustrated with my husband because of his travel schedule for work. I said to him, “I feel like I have no life and the entire family’s schedule revolves around yours.” After I said this to him, I realized I was the only one that had the major issue with his absence. What was really bothering me was a lack of control.

I look at all of these well-toned, volunteering, career achieving mums and I think, are the pressures of raising a family today just too much at times? We worry about if our kids our taking their vitamins at camp, doing the right activities. I know mums also worry in their own heads at times, what about ME? If they are working, what is the next career step? If they have taken time off from their careers, when do they go back and how do they fit back into the working world? Some mums have decided they are done with the “corporate world”, but this poses a decision as well. When their child begin to go to school full-time, what do we do with the free hours and still feel productive?

I think raising a family is always in transition, I just wonder if we can have a bit more tranquility in our own minds while we are running to get the next birthday gift or trying to catch a cab for an 8:00 a.m. breakfast meeting; maybe if we can stay in the moment and applaud ourselves for doing a good job we would be a bit more at peace for our families. I know that lately I need to adhere to this advice as well.

Posted by Dr. Natalie Geary MD | Filed Under Deana's Dish 

This Week’s Must-Haves

July 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Here are my must haves and must do’s for the week:

Looking to spruce up some bedrooms this summer…

Check out: Sweet Charity- at this shop you will find Indian-inspired crib quilts and amazing bright colored rugs. A portion of the store’s proceeds goes to the Best Friends Animal Society and Farm Sanctuary. 411 Seventh Ave between 13th and 14th Street. Park Slope Brooklyn (718-965-9200, sweetcharitynyc.com)

CB2 At Crate and Barrels’s lower-priced store you can find frames made out of recycled soda cans, pagodastyle wood stools($100.00) are the perfect height for tots, but the best buy is the Sleepy Hollow bed($300.00-$700.00) a platform bunk. 451 Broadway between Canal and Grand Streets (212-219-1454, cb2.com)

In August Deana’s Dish will be bringing you my favorite home décor styling along with fashion advice from Marni and Prada to vintage and the must have t-shirts.

Posted by Deana | Filed Under Deana's Dish 

Fish Oils

July 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment

By Ms. Annabelle Moore with Dr. Geary
There has been a lot of attention lately on the health benefits of fish oils, but as a parent, you know that getting your child to take fish oil is a potential challenge. So is the struggle worth it?
As it turns out, the answer is yes: fish oils are really worth adding to the diet. Why? They contain Omega-3 fatty acids that improve your child’s eyesight, potentially their cognitive and learning skills and help prevent asthma and later heart disease. 
We recommend that you and your child eat 2 servings of foods high in omega-3 fatty acids a week to get the full benefits.  Pregnant women who eat the proper amounts of these fatty acids have been shown to have babies with longer attention spans, and to suffer less from postpartum depression. 

The new formulations of baby formula all contain Fish oils in varying amounts, and there are supplements readily available for you and your young child.

The fish that contain higher quality and quantities of the omega-3 fatty acids are:
-  Salmon
-  Herring
-  Mackerel
-  Sardines
-  Anchovies

It is often hard to include that much fish in your young child’s diet. Given that these fish oils are particularly important in the first three years of life, it is important to consider other sources.

If your child doesn’t like fish there are other foods, such as flaxseed and tofu, which contain omega-3 fatty acids. We have had great success with Barlean’s Omega Swirl, a fruit flavored drink not unlike a smoothie candy with flavors they will enjoy.

Posted by Ms. Annabelle Moore with Dr. Natalie Geary | Filed Under Nutrition