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Wendy Bellissimo

Wendy Bellissimo has brought together the world's best mom-experts on important mom topics with nesting.com's mom forums. Browse or search below to find the best articles, discussions and Questions & Answer forums.

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Must Read Articles

Winter Fun

Jennifer Untermeyer

Founder/Owner - TravelKiddy, a division of PurpleSnakes LLC

I love winter vacations -- days playing in the snow and cozy evenings in front of a roaring fire.  Unfortunately, the snow loses its appeal after a few days, and bored, tired kids are not conducive... more »

Breast Not Stressed

Shelley Aronoff

Co-Founder/Vice President - Green to Grow

Many important studies have been published over the past decade proving what Mother Nature has known about infant feeding all along: breast milk is the healthiest source of sustenance for newborn b... more »

One Size Does Not Fit All: Successful Baby Bottle Feeding

Shelley Aronoff

Co-Founder/Vice President - Green to Grow

There's no doubt at this point that breastfeeding is the best option for baby and for mom too.  But in many cases, for whatever reason, breastfeeding is not a possibility, and yet baby still needs ... more »

The Joy (and Worry) of Feeding Your Baby: An Introduction

Shelley Aronoff

Co-Founder/Vice President - Green to Grow

In Your Eyes.  The time spent feeding your baby is one of the strongest bonding experiences of parenting.  Looking down into your baby's face while feeding - that cute little nose, those pink littl... more »

The Q's & A's of Baby Bottle Feeding

Shelley Aronoff

Co-Founder/Vice President - Green to Grow

In theory, babies who are breastfed prefer the wide neck model because the nipple is shaped more like a mother's breast; however, this isn't always the case.  In reality, there are anatomical featu... more »

Green Hydration on the Go

Adena Surabian

President/Founder - Nature's Baby Organics

Aside from staying home and drinking tap water out of a washable, reusable glass, the best way to go "green" while on the go is to choose your water bottle wisely.  From the lowly single-use-only p... more »

Finding the Perfect Halloween Costume

Niki L. Neumann

Founder - MyLilLamb.com

Halloween is one of the most fun nights a child will experience.  For once, they are able to run around after dark without having to be called inside to eat dinner, take a bath and then off to bed.... more »

Keeping Up with Toy Recalls

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

Lead paint, choking hazards, and more, from toys sold by big box retailers and department stores to those sold by dollar stores and thrift shops, after the recall of millions of toys in 2007, the t... more »

What's your SPF IQ?

MaryAnn Schoon Groark

Founder/CEO - Baby Moon Botanicals

Sun Protection:  Separating The Myths From The FactsWE LOVE THE SUN.  That is why it has become more important than ever to get the "4-1-1" on sunscreens and UV protection.  So, before you and your... more »

Pollution And Your Baby's Skin

MaryAnn Schoon Groark

Founder/CEO - Baby Moon Botanicals

How Proper Skin Caring Can Protect Your Child From Environmental Pollutants "I didn't inhale" Bill Clinton's famous remark is the perfect lead-in to the unseen dangers of toxins that don't have to ... more »

Growing Up Green, Toymakers Going Green

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

Recently, a friend asked me what it meant for a toy to be environmentally friendly.  "What does it take for a toy to be green?  Does that mean you throw it down on the ground when you're done with ... more »

Fun Fall Favorites, Toys for the Changing Season

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

Crisp chilly breezes rustle rich golden leaves.  Coats grow bigger.  Daylight hours shrink.  Video games and TV time threaten to become kids' favorite pastime, but smart parents are plotting active... more »

Getting Started with Cloth Diapers

Jessica Burman

Creative Director - Smartipants

Many parents today are investigating cloth diapers as a viable option in turbulent economic times.But is it difficult?  Will it really save money?  What about diaper rash?  Most parents, upon inves... more »

Understanding the Importance of Consistency

Kim West

Kim West, LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady(r), Author of

We all know it is important to be consistent in parenting but it's hard to be 100% consistent.  Consistency is especially hard in the middle of the night when we are tired and not thinking clearly ... more »

Ten Most Common Mistakes Parents Make About Their Child's Sleep

Kim West

Kim West, LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady(r), Author of

1. Planning and Priorities.  Parents don't make their child's need for sleep a priority.  Once your child is sleeping well, you have a little more flexibility but until then, make sure you don't ge... more »

What is Sleeping Through The Night?

Kim West

Kim West, LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady(r), Author of

Parents eagerly wait for their babies to start sleeping through the night -- but strictly speaking there isn't really such a thing as sleeping through the night.  We constantly transition and cycle... more »

Sleep Crutches: How to Gently Help Your Child Break Sleep-Disrupting Habits

Kim West

Kim West, LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady(r), Author of

Many babies and young children develop "sleep crutches" or "negative sleep associations."  They use this crutch or association to get to sleep -- and then they need it again when they wake up at ni... more »

Creating a Healthy Secure Attachment with Your Baby

Kim West

Kim West, LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady(r), Author of

Parenting is especially difficult for adults whose own parents were not consistently and reliably nurturing, and/or who did not provide safety and protection.  The early attachment between an infan... more »

High Maintenance Toys, Hidden Dangers

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

Zanver, King of Tamleer Mountain, with flashing eyes, magnetic sword, and fully automated battle roar -- watch his mane grow as he rises from his reanimation chamber.  See his eyes change color as ... more »

Active Toys for Indoor Play

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

On the glistening shores of Southern California where I live, there is no shortage of trim, athletic kids.  Every kid over three seems to own a boogie board.  Beach-town streets are dotted with ska... more »

Toys and Games for Family Gatherings

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

The smell of sweet pumpkin pie floats in the air, the fireplace crackles, and we wait for the doobell to ring.  As family and friends arrive, a beautifully set table and elaborate meal become a bac... more »

Creating Fun in the Airport

Jennifer Untermeyer

Founder/Owner - TravelKiddy, a division of PurpleSnakes LLC

Traveling families typically arrive several hours before the flight is due to depart.  If your kids are like mine, the anticipation of the flight combined with having to wait for a couple of hours ... more »

Traveling with Toddlers -- Tips and Tricks from the Trenches

Jennifer Untermeyer

Founder/Owner - TravelKiddy, a division of PurpleSnakes LLC

Toddlers may be cute, but they are by far the hardest traveling age.  Who can blame them?  They are just learning to walk and are discovering their independence, and we strap them in a seat for hou... more »

Thanksgiving Toys -- Teaching Kids Gratitude

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

In the beginning, there was food and friendship, and the colonists were thankful -- a pretty simplistic explanation of the origins of Thanksgiving.  But what would they think if they saw Thanksgivi... more »

Ten Tips for Buying Great Toy Gifts

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

Toys are arguably the most fun gifts to give.  Who doesn't want to give the gift that is met with a child's joyful exclamations as it is unwrapped?  Keeping the following tips in mind will help you... more »

Ten Tips for Buying Safe Toys this Holiday Season

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

As I was writing this article, news broke that Target, Wal-Mart, and other major retailers had been sent a letter from the California Attorney General notifying them children's products found to ha... more »

The Holiday Tradition of Artisan Toys

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

Everyone knows there is no way Santa could make all those toys by himself.  Producing enough toys for every good boy and girl in the world in just one year is a tall order.  In the United States to... more »

Dollar Deals and Stocking Stuffer Safety

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there," the narrator reads as the excitement mounts in one of the best known Christmas stories, "'Twas th... more »

Just Add Water and Stir: Building Intimacy in a Blended Family

Susan Hetrick

Author of the book:

I was browsing my local bookstore the other day, and ran across a book called "Five Easy Steps to Instant Intimacy."  Needless to say, I did not buy it.The title stopped me cold, though.  What is w... more »

Sleep Myth Busters: The Sleep Lady Sets the Record Straight

Kim West

Kim West, LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady(r), Author of

#1. If I skip my child's nap, he will sleep longer at night.  Also, the later I put my child to bed, the later he'll sleep in the morning.Sleep Lady: The more overtired you allow your child to get,... more »

If you can't be a good example, be a dire warning!

Susan Hetrick

Author of the book:

I received a phone call the other day from a frantic woman, who asked, "What am I supposed to do with two teenagers who refuse to get along?  They are having a problem blending, and it's making lif... more »

Yoga Benefits for Autistic Children

JoAnna Ross

Founder - Yoga By The Dozen

Yoga is becoming one of the newest techniques to help an autistic child develop his or her cognitive and motor skills, along with fostering self-confidence and respect.  The classic definition of a... more »

Parlez-vous stepfamily-ese?

Susan Hetrick

Author of the book:

A woman from Haiti had been visiting her son in Phoenix, and was flying to Los Angeles to visit her daughter.  Her son got permission from the airline to walk with his mother through the security l... more »

And my New Year's resolutions are...

Susan Hetrick

Author of the book:

With the new year having come and gone, how are your New Year's resolutions holding up? If you're like 90% of Americans, you've now lost your resolve and are back to business as usual.  Most people... more »

The Best Hour of the Day

Annika Chase

President - Baby Admin Designs, LLC

There's a line in the movie "Marley and Me" that stayed with me long after the film credits rolled.  Dog lover or not, the film is truly heartwarming and about a lot more than just a naughty dog --... more »

He Spat up, Again

Annika Chase

President - Baby Admin Designs, LLC

We've all been there before...a young infant, having finished a meal, in somewhat of a milk-coma suddenly makes the biggest, loudest belching noise imaginable.  It is a noise that would make any be... more »

Five Essential Tips for Screening a Potential Caregiver

Monta Fleming

President/Founder - GoNannies.com

As a working mother of three children, I have a deep and genuine concern about who is watching my kids while my husband and I are both gone during the day.  As an experienced nanny-finder in the 21... more »

Keeping Kids Supervised and Entertained During the Summer

Monta Fleming

President/Founder - GoNannies.com

For 20 million families across the United States, one common concern for parents is who will watch their children during summer vacation while they work part- or full-time jobs.  With the way the e... more »

Paying Nanny Taxes

Monta Fleming

President/Founder - GoNannies.com

Many parents have questions about having to pay taxes after employing a nanny.  Below are the most popular questions (and answers) about paying nanny taxes. 1. Are nannies considered independent co... more »

The Benefits of Baby Swimming

Rob and Kathy McKay

www.BabySwimming.com and Authors -

A wealth of benefits is well within the real scope of possibility for babies when they are taught to swim in a gentle, gradual, child-paced and baby-friendly curriculum.  Researchers have documente... more »

10 Adoption Myths

Margot Logan

Executive Director - Forever Families Home Study Agency

There are many myths surrounding adoption.  As an adoptive mother, home study provider, and therapist, here are my "Top 10" and the truth from my professional and personal experiences.

more »

Maternity Wardrobe Essentials

Trisha Jones

Owner/Founder - www.StellaMaternity.com and www.StellaBaby.com

You find out your pregnant, and the excitement and nervousness kick in.  Then after a few months, your body changes and nothing fits!  Buying a whole new wardrobe to accommodate your new pregnant f... more »

Fun Bowling Set

Sharon Pierce McCullough

Co-Founder/CCO - ZiggityZoom LLC

We love to make things from recycled materials that we have collected from around the house.  In fact, we keep a few plastic tubs for just this purpose, filling them with things like discarded plas... more »

Displaying Kids' Artwork

Sharon Pierce McCullough

Co-Founder/CCO - ZiggityZoom LLC

As much fun as it is to have your child bring home his or her art treasures from school, it sometimes gets overwhelming with all the artwork.  And if you have a couple of children who have been bri... more »

Valentine Heart Mystery Envelope

Sharon Pierce McCullough

Co-Founder/CCO - ZiggityZoom LLC

Kids love Valentines...we all love Valentines!  This is a super easy Paper Valentine to make that is double the fun because you get to fill it with a little surprise!  We like to fill these with a ... more »

Maternity Clothes on a Budget

Trisha Jones

Owner/Founder - www.StellaMaternity.com and www.StellaBaby.com

Having to buy all new clothes for your pregnancy can get expensive.  There are many ways to stretch your maternity clothing budget.  Look for items that can do double duty and help you to get throu... more »

Books for the Month of February

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

One of the things I love about the month of February is that it is filled with opportunities for sharing books.  Valentine's Day offers a great excuse to cuddle up with a favorite book, and of cour... more »

Making it Easy for Developing Readers to Be Successful

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

Remember the infamous Dick and Jane books?  Even though there have been hundreds of books since then, for whatever reason, we use the Dick and Jane series to describe that category of books called ... more »

Cloth Diapering and Leaks

Jessica Burman

Creative Director - Smartipants

It is a myth that reusable diapers cause more leaks than disposable ones.  In actual use, most parents report less leaks with modern reusables.  If you are using cloth diapers and you experience le... more »

Taking A Vacation from the Vacation

Jennifer Untermeyer

Founder/Owner - TravelKiddy, a division of PurpleSnakes LLC

Parents often ask me if it is worth the time, effort, and expense to travel with young kids.  Absolutely!  Kids bring a sense of adventure and joy to every trip that is simply unmatched.  It is als... more »

Travel Activity Packing

Jennifer Untermeyer

Founder/Owner - TravelKiddy, a division of PurpleSnakes LLC

A topic of on-going interest among the moms in Hong Kong was entertaining our kids on the long hauls to and from the US.  Faced with a 14-hour flight (just to get to Newark, New Jersey) and usually... more »

Irony

Annika Chase

President - Baby Admin Designs, LLC

i-ro-ny??-noun: -The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning-Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occursWhen I was in college, the song ... more »

Introducing Your Baby to Water and Learning to Swim: The 6 Pearls of the Pool

Rob and Kathy McKay

www.BabySwimming.com and Authors -

The undeniably happy sounds of water splashing and pouring, a baby's giggles, a nursery song sung in lighthearted tones.  No crying, no tears, no gasps.  Introducing your baby to swimming should be... more »

Age-Appropriate Swimming Techniques for Children

Rob and Kathy McKay

www.BabySwimming.com and Authors -

The following skills take time, patience, and practice.  Young children of all ages should start with the first skill listed and slowly build a foundation for the next skills and so on.  With prope... more »

Packing for a Babymoon

Trisha Jones

Owner/Founder - www.StellaMaternity.com and www.StellaBaby.com

The new trend of taking a Babymoon -- a trip before the baby comes and life is turned upside down -- can be a great way to connect with your partner and relax.  Here are some items you may want to ... more »

Winter Fun

Jennifer Untermeyer

Founder/Owner - TravelKiddy, a division of PurpleSnakes LLC

I love winter vacations -- days playing in the snow and cozy evenings in front of a roaring fire.  Unfortunately, the snow loses its appeal after a few days, and bored, tired kids are not conducive... more »

Literacy from the Toy Box: Puzzles, Paint, and Jump Ropes

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

"Literacy toys" make great gifts.  Although we tend to think of learning to read as an exercise in letters, it really is much bigger than that.  In fact, learning your ABCs doesn't even have anythi... more »

'Tis the Season for Cabin Fever

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

December 21st marked the Winter Solstice of 2009, but there is no doubt that winter arrived early in many parts of the country.  When snow comes down at two inches per hour, shoveling isn't much us... more »

Read-Alikes: Finding Books for Older Readers

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

As kids develop into independent readers -- usually by third grade -- they are used to picking their own books.  Regular trips to the school library in earlier years have started them on the path o... more »

The Holiday Barrage -- Let the Big Elf Help You Sneak in a Little Literacy

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

Tis the season for 'round the clock toy commercials -- the annual brigade of gadgets and widgets that entice our kids to say "Mom, can I have that?"  Yes, just two more winks and the kids will begi... more »

Books for Baby, Mommy, and Daddy, Too

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

One of my favorite early memories as a new mom was reading bedtime stories with my daughter.  Even today, I love to listen as my husband and daughter read together in a ritual I hope she'll never o... more »

The Gift of Reading: How Do I Find Something They Will Like?

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

One of the greatest gifts you can give a child is the tools to help them become a successful reader.  The latest video game, the cutest doll, the train set, and the tea set -- kids will grow out of... more »

The Gift of Reading

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

Amazingly, as I walked through the store the other day, the Halloween stuff was being shoved to the side to make room Christmas decorations.  Thanksgiving...poor turkey...he's just a bystander.  Th... more »

Building a Children's Library: Getting a Bang for Your Book

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

Let's face it.  Children's books are expensive.  It costs extra to produce all the brightly colored illustrations that make picture books the treasures kids love to look at.  So how do you get the ... more »

Winter Clothing for Children

Niki L. Neumann

Founder - MyLilLamb.com

It is that time of year when we start to dig out our sweaters, jackets and coats.  My daughter was one year old last year so I really did not take her out much when the weather was bad or too cold.... more »

Boo! It's trick-or-treat Time

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

Wandering through our local big-box bookstore a few weeks ago, I was amazed at how much the display at Halloween books had grown.  Not books about fall, but books specifically about Halloween!  I r... more »

The ABCs of Reading: Thinking Outside the Book

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

Some days, the idea of squeezing in story time with my daughter is the last thing I want to think about.  The day was crazy, I've still got a ridiculously long to-do list, dinner isn't ready, homew... more »

He Said, She Said - It's All Good

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

Have you ever noticed how kids can say more words than they recognize or spell?  The first building blocks of reading come not from our eyes, but our ears.  Part of the process of learning to read ... more »

Reverse Psychology: Let the Books Do the Talking

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

I don't know about you, but since becoming a Mom, I feel like the most over-used word in my vocabulary is "No" -- followed closely by "Don't."  I get tired of hearing myself say them, so I can imag... more »

Toys That Teach, Back to School Basics for Preschoolers

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

Toys that teach grab and hold children's attention in a way that engages them so fully that learning is effortless.  From baby's first rattle to sophisticated board games, there are toys available ... more »

Stories at Bedtime: Keeping the Tradition with Older Kids

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

When our kids are young, reading with them ? especially at bedtime ? seems to come to us naturally.  As they move toward becoming independent readers, our tendency is to read to them less and encou... more »

The ABCs of Bilingual Books

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

Bonjour! Buenos Dias! Guttentag! Welcome to the ABCs of Bilingual BooksOne in every ten households in the United States is an adoptive family.  The rise in international adoptions adds an extra dim... more »

New Kid on the Block, Finding Toys for Newborns

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

Big adorable eyes, baby soft skin, tiny fingers and toes, gurgle, coo, and you're hooked.  Who can resist an infant's charms -- charms that reduce full-grown women and men to baby talk in a single ... more »

Toy Warning Labels - What They Say, What They Don't

Shannon Sizemore

Founder & CEO - BitsyBirdie.com

The recall of millions of toys in 2007 led to the passage of new legislation called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). The act is intended to improve safety of children's ... more »

Do I R-E-A-L-L-Y Have to Read with my Child?

Terry Doherty

Executive Director - The Reading Tub, Inc.

In a word: Yes!What would you say if I told you that in the time it takes you to drink that cup of coffee (or can of soda) that you're holding you could be helping your child be part of the top 10%... more »

Co-Sleeping & Baby Sleep Safety

Sharon Forshpan

President - Arm's Reach Concepts, Inc.

Of the many troubling debates in the world of infant care, few are as constant as whether or not parents should share a bed with an infant.  Bedsharing or "family bedding," as it is commonly called... more »

Essential Baby Clothing

Niki L. Neumann

Founder - MyLilLamb.com

Preparing to be a new mom has a lot of mixed emotions.  You feel joy, excitement, stress, worry, physical pain and more.  One of the best parts of the preparation process is buying all the items yo... more »

Baby Bath Safety: Hazards You Can't See

Adena Surabian

President/Founder - Nature's Baby Organics

When it comes to bath time, every parent has their checklist.  It includes safety precautions like putting a cushioning cover over the faucet, watching the water level, using a non-slip bath mat... It includes fun factors like tossing in the squirty octopus character and making lots of bubbles.  It includes special comfort moves… do you have that washcloth ready to help keep soap out of the eyes when shampooing?

more »

Playdate Snacks & Eating

Liane Weintraub

Editor-in-Chief - Tastybaby.com - Co-Founder of Tastybaby

We've all been there: your child returns from an afternoon playdate feeling jittery, nervous and emotional. No, Junior didn't get in a fight with his best friend forever – he's probably just coming down from a sugar high.

While it's possible to control and regulate what your children consumes in your home, having a say in what your son or daughter eats while visiting friends is another story. We all want our children to have fun, but how can you let the games begin and encourage your child to extend their healthy eating habits beyond your front door?

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Growing Your Dinner - Family Gardens

Liane Weintraub

Editor-in-Chief - Tastybaby.com - Co-Founder of Tastybaby

I will start with a disclaimer: I do not have a "green thumb."  In fact, none of my fingers seems well-suited to gardening.  I was born and raised in a concrete jungle, so my exposure to nature was... more »

Keeping Kids Hydrated

Liane Weintraub

Editor-in-Chief - Tastybaby.com - Co-Founder of Tastybaby

Much is said concerning the eating habits of kids.  Everyday there is another report about obesity, sugar intake or some other issue that parents need to respond to swiftly and earnestly.  As maker... more »

What is Diastasis Recti?

Lisa Druxman

M.A. Pre/Postnatal Fitness Expert

You may have been shocked after the birth of your baby by the look of your belly. Besides the loose skin, you are also looking at loose abdominal muscles. Your muscles had to stretch and loosen up in order to accommodate your baby. Many women during their pregnancy experience a separation of the rectus abdominus (your “six pack”) called diastasis recti.  This is the separation of the abdominal muscle at the linea alba (which is a fibrous band of connective tissue down middle of abdomen between the muscles).

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My Body After Baby

Lisa Druxman

M.A. Pre/Postnatal Fitness Expert

Whether you like it or not, your life will change after having a baby. Beyond that, your workout should change as well! Being a mom is simply not good on your body. As a mom, you have a weight (the baby) that you carry around everywhere you go. You’re sleep deprived, recovering from pregnancy and labor and doing all kinds of mommy movements that you have not done before. This combination can lead to all kinds of aches and pains and progressively poor posture. By teaching you how to move through motherhood and working out to address these new challenges, you will be stronger, healthier and happier.

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What to Look For in a Jogger Stroller

Lisa Druxman

M.A. Pre/Postnatal Fitness Expert

If you are a mom to a baby, you probably have trouble finding time to workout. That’s ok because most moms do find time to take their little one out on a stroller walk. Why not turn that walk in to a workout by adding intensity and a variety of exercises. If you’re ready to hit the road, take a look at these tips to help you find the right stroller.

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