Bundles of Joy 2025 by The Forum of Fargo Moorhead

A keepsake publication introducing babies born in 2024

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Sanford, Essentia announce top baby names of 2024

Top boy name for Sanford is a four-peat while a new girls name topped the list.

BY FORUM STAFF

FARGO — The area's two hospitals have released the top baby names for 2024. New girl names are claiming the spotlight, and one boy's name shows enduring popularity.

According to a press release, Lainey was the most popular name for girls born at Sanford Health while Oliver was the most popular name for boys for the fourth consecutive year.

At Essentia, the most popular girl's name, according to a press release, was a name with four possible spellings and two possible pronunciations: Adaline, Adalynn, Adeline, or Adelyn.

For boys, the most popular name at Essentia was a tie between Beau or Bo and Theodore.

Henry was the second most popular boy's name at Sanford while Amelia moved up two spots from last year to claim the second spot for girls.

At Essentia, the runner-up names included Brooks and Maverick for boys and Charlotte and Quinn for girls.

Here are the complete top baby name lists for both hospitals:

Top Baby Girl Names of 2024 - Sanford

1. Lainey

2. Amelia

3. Evelyn

4. Aurora, Charlotte, Nora 5. Olivia

Top Baby Boy Names of 2024 - Sanford

1. Oliver

2. Henry

3. Liam

4. Theodore

5. Brooks

Top Baby Girl Names of 2024 - Essentia

1. Adaline or Adalynn or Adeline or Adelyn

2. Charlotte, Quinn

3. Lainey, Nora, Stella

4. Amelia, Aria or Ariah, Daisy, Hazel, Ivy, Lucy, Violet

Top Baby Boy Names of 2024 - Essentia

1, Beau or Bo, Theodore

2. Brooks, Maverick

3. Elijah, Roman, Westen or Weston

4. Asher, Henry, Hudsen or Hudson, Levi, Luca or Luka, Miles or Myles, Noah, Nolan, Wyatt

5. Everett, Jasper or Jaspyr, Joseph, Landon or Landyn, Liam, Luke, Malachi or Malakai or Malakhi, Oliver, Otto, Owen, Sawyer

Sanford delivered nearly 9,000 babies as of the beginning of December, with the most being born in July, according to the release. Entering the final week of the year, 1,177 babies were born at Essentia.

Contributed / Pixabay

Willa Elaine Kolasa September 4th, 2024 Daughter of Dustin & Abby Kolasa Fargo, ND

Ezekiel March 11, 2024 Son of Levi and Macy Faul Billings, MT

Zoey Mae Curtis October 19, 2024 Daughter of Jake & Justine Curtis Moorhead, MN

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LAKEAGASSIZ REGIONALLIBRARY

3 tips to make bath time more fun

NEWSPAPER TOOLBOX

Some kids love bath time, but others need a little encouragement. Here are three ways you can make baths more enjoyable for your little one.

1. Adjust the temperature

Make sure the bathroom is warm before undressing your child. If you’re bathing an infant, the water should be lukewarm. However, as your child grows up, they’ll develop a preference for warmer or cooler water, and you can adjust the temperature accordingly. When bath time is over, wrap your child in a towel right away so they don’t get cold.

2. Incorporate play

Taking a bath won’t seem like a chore if your child associates the experience with playing. Therefore, you may want to purchase boats, figurines and other water toys to keep your little one entertained. Make sure to choose toys that match their interests.

3. Make memories

Bath time is the perfect opportunity to create unforgettable memories with your child. Your little one will have more fun if you join them in laughing and playing while they take a bath.

If you follow these tips, your child will likely learn to love splashing in the tub.

Alexander Klima

November 30, 2024

Son of Marissa and Bennett

Klima Fargo, ND

Bohen Boor

April 5, 2024

Daughter of Kylie & Zachery Boor

Mapleton, ND

Stella Heilig

January 27, 2024

Daughter of Abbey & Derek Heilig Fargo, ND

At CAPLP we believe that children do better when they have access to high-quality early childhood experiences.

Choosing an early care & education program is an important decision and Quality Rating & Improvement Systems, available in both MN & ND, can help you make those choices.

The cost of care depends on several factors, including your child’s age, the type of care, and the location.

There are several programs that can help make care more affordable.

Baby boy taking a bath, playing in a bathtub with colorful toys. Smiling little kid in bathroom looking at camera. Infant playing, have fun and washing. Healthy hygiene and care for children.

Blazej Lyjak

Benefits of homemade baby food

NEWSPAPER TOOLBOX

Once your baby is ready to graduate from the bottle to solid foods, your first instinct might be to purchase readymade baby food from the supermarket. This is perhaps the most convenient option, but is it really what’s best for your child? Making your own baby food comes with its share of benefits for little tummies. Plus, the money you’ll save by switching from storebought to homemade is well worth the extra effort.

Tasty and frugal

There’s no denying that homemade baby food has a higher nutritional value than its store-bought counterpart, which often contains ingredients that are non-essential to your child’s development. Without additives like dyes and starches to get in the way, your jars of pureed meats, fruits and veggies are perfect to introduce your baby to the flavors

and consistencies of solid food. What’s more, because baby food keeps well, you can save time, money and hassle by whipping up large batches at a time.

Unlimited options

Grocery stores carry a limited selection of baby foods, and the flavors that are available aren’t always the most appetizing. Why limit yourself when you can prepare an endless array of different purees in the comfort of your own kitchen? Plus, you’ll know that every bite your baby gobbles up will be made from fresh, nutrientpacked ingredients—and a healthy helping of love.

Foolproof method

Boil food. Add water. You’re done! That’s really all there is to it. Feel free to experiment, but make sure you taste test your creations—if you don’t like it, chances are your little one won’t either.

Ellie Marie Pastir

March 31, 2024

Daughter of Jace and Breanna Pastir Carrington, ND

Rory Alexander Wolf

March 5th, 2024

Son of Alexander and Carly Wolf Fargo, ND

Mills Sayre Hunt

July 17, 2024

Son of Ryan & Shelby Hunt West Fargo, ND

4 tips to safely use a baby carrier

NEWSPAPER TOOLBOX

A baby carrier keeps your hands free and your child close. From specialized backpacks to fabric wraps, these practical devices are great for babies as they provide comfort, aid with digestion, facilitate sleep and promote proper muscle and joint development. However, it’s important to take precautions. Here are four baby-carrier safety tips you should follow.

1. Look for wear and tear

Check for ripped seams, damaged buckles and torn straps before each use. If you opt for a sling-style carrier, make sure the knots are tied tight or the fabric is securely fastened in the rings.

2. Properly position your baby

A baby carrier should be snug enough to provide ample back support. While there are ergonomic carriers that allow your baby to face forward, these should be avoided until your little one has full control of their head and neck. To reduce the risk of hip dysplasia, make sure the carrier supports your baby’s thighs while keeping their legs bent and their knees slightly higher than their hips.

3. Check your baby often

To eliminate the risk of suffocation, your child’s face should be visible at all times. Make sure their mouth isn’t pressed into the carrier or your body. Additionally, their chin shouldn’t be tucked into their chest, and their legs shouldn’t be bunched against their stomach. Any of these positions can restrict your baby’s breathing.

4. Limit your activities

If you’re babywearing, avoid slippery areas and activities that could lead to a fall such as cycling, skating and running. You should also avoid using your baby carrier while cooking or drinking hot beverages because it puts your child at risk of getting burned or injured.

Before you purchase a baby carrier, test out various models to ensure you choose the right one for you and your infant.

Ella Ann Bremer October 5th, 2024 Daughter of Abbey & Nathan Bremer Fargo, ND

Oliver Michael Krieger May 5th 2024 Son of Michael & Florence Krieger Audubon, MN

Wells Marshall Mattson November 26,2024 Son of Sarah & Jeremiah Mattson Kindred, ND

Vincent Paul Campbell December 20th, 2024

Son of Paul and Paige Campbell Moorhead, MN

Cooper Millar-Beck

Son of Sammee & Kyle Fargo, ND

Haeven

Daughter of Brandon & Katie Johnson Lake Park, MN

Tips to quiet colic

METRO CREATIVE SERVICES

Crying is a normal outlet for babies to express what they cannot verbalize. Infants cry when they are hungry, uncomfortable, tired, and/or have soiled diapers. But for some babies, crying may be something that seemingly does not end no matter what frazzled parents do. In such instances, an infant may be experiencing colic.

Colic can fluster new parents. A baby that cries for hours on end can exact an emotional and physical toll and interrupt parents’ schedules and sleep. Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Health System says newborns are diagnosed with colic if they cry for more than three hours a day; the crying lasts for more than three days a week; and this pattern has been going on for more than three weeks. Babies experiencing colic often clench fists or curl their legs while crying. Babies’ bellies often are tight and their faces can redden as well.

Managing colic can add to the stress new parents already feel. Although colic is a phase that infants typically outgrow, parents may wonder if there’s anything they can

do to quiet the crying. Although colic can’t be avoided, there may be some ways to avoid colic triggers.

Food diary: Breastfeeding mothers should realize that everything they eat and drink gets passed on to the baby and can affect them through breastmilk. Caffeine and chocolate can act as stimulants, and dairy products and nuts may be causing allergies. Certain medicines also can cause reactions in children. Keeping track of what you consume and the response it causes in your newborn may offer a clue about what to avoid to make the baby less fussy.

Formula changes: If you are formula feeding, experimenting with another brand might help. Babies can be sensitive to certain proteins in formulas. Also, slow down feedings by using a nipple with a smaller hole. Feeding the baby smaller meals more often also might help with colic.

Car ride: Sometimes the soothing hum of the engine and the tires on the road can help settle a newborn. This tactic

CADEMY FOR CHILDREN

also has a secondary benefit of getting you and the baby out of the house for a change of scenery.

Change of position: Sometimes holding a baby differently can alleviate a colic episode. Lay baby across your arm or lap while you massage your child’s back. If you suspect colic is from gas, hold your baby upright or rock the child using an infant swing.

Take a break: FamilyDoctor.org says although colic can seem scary, it doesn’t cause any short- or long-term problems for your baby. Placing your newborn in a crib or another safe space and letting the crying fit go on for a bit while you take a break is fine. Parents also can seek help from a friend or loved one and go out for some time to escape the crying.

Colic can affect any baby and often seems like it will never end. Fortunately, it’s usually a temporary condition that resolves by age four months, and parents can try various strategies to cope until colic is a distant memory.

Birdie April 6th, 2024

Daughter of Natalie and Kyle Deutsch-LaPlante Fargo, ND

Ivy Bro June 26, 2024 Daughter of Kevin and Brittany Bro Dilworth, MN

Hattie Henderson September 13, 2024 Daughter of Jake and Madison West Fargo, ND

Understanding your child’s motor skill development

NEWSPAPER TOOLBOX

Developing motor skills is a critical stage in your baby’s life. When it comes to fostering your growing child’s social and physical abilities, nothing beats hands-on parenting.

The beginning

Your child wasn’t entirely helpless at birth, having acquired certain reflexes while still in the womb.

Baby’s fragile, delicate appearance can be attributed to his under-developed muscles, which are constantly evolving to adapt to his new environment.

After a few months, he’s able to hold his head up for a few seconds and bend his limbs on his own.

Around seven months, your child will try to sit down on his own. You can lend a hand by showing him how it’s done. A bit later, you’ll notice him lying on his stomach and moving his limbs: that’s an early (and somewhat unsuccessful) attempt at moving around on all fours! Spend lots of time showing him the way forward, and he’ll get the hang of crawling in no time. Finally, around eleven months, your child will start trying to stand

Samson Baer

March 1st, 2024

Son of Allan and Alysha Lake Park, MN

up — an unmistakable sign that baby’s first steps are just around the corner.

Baby steps

Your child should be able to stand up on his own and start attempting to take a few steps between 12 and 18 months. Always encourage him to learn at his own

Juliet February 28, 2024

Great-Granddaughter of Janice Prichard-Scott Fargo, ND

Grayson John Desautel

December 6th, 2024

Son of Brandon & Courtney Desautel

pace, and don’t worry if you don’t see much progress — he’s probably focusing his efforts on something else, like language or cleanliness. Your pediatrician will identify any true delays in the development of your child’s motor skills and suggest the best course of action.