Today’s Random Tidbit

According to researchers, the three things pregnant women dream of most during their first trimester are, in order, frogs, worms and potted plants.

Evenflo Recalls Top-of-Stair Plus Wood Gates Due to Fall Hazard

from www.CPSC.gov


WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Evenflo Top-of-Stair™ Plus Wood Gates

Units: About 150,000 in the United States and 33,000 in Canada

Manufacturer: Evenflo Co. Inc. of Miamisburg, Ohio

Hazard: The slats on the gate can break or detach, posing a fall hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: Evenflo has received 142 reports of slats breaking and/or detaching from the gate. Three children gained access to stairs. One of those children fell through the gate and down five steps; another fell down one step. Injuries included four children who sustained bumps and bruises to the head and seven children who sustained minor injuries including scratches, scrapes and bruises.

Description: The recall involves Evenflo models 10502 and 10512 Top-of-Stair Plus Wood Gates made from October 2007 through July 2009. The model number can be found on the bottom rail. No other Evenflo model numbers or gates are affected by this recall.

Sold at: Toys “R” Us, Burlington Baby Depot, Kmart and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide in the U.S. and Canada, and on the Web at Amazon.com and other online retailers from October 2007 through March 2010 for about $40.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled gate and contact Evenflo to obtain a free newer model 10503 or 10513 Top-of-Stair™ Plus Wood replacement gate.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Evenflo toll-free at (800) 233-5921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at safety.evenflo.com

Note: Health Canada's press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=985

BabyElan Daily

 BabyElan Daily is a fabulous website with all sorts of information for mamas –  modern, practical, stylish, and green.  (I do love their green section!)  It is the brain child of two Charlotte mamas (with five boys between the both of them!) who also run a PR, marketing, and stationery business.  They are fabulous business women!
I’m very thrilled that Little Miracles was featured on their site today!  Check it out HERE.

Natural Pediatrics: 5 Proven Solutions to Keep Your Children (infant to 18yrs) Healthy and Hearty, Part 1

from www.hipmomsgogreen.com, by Dr. Phil Wazny NMD

3 Chemicals Your Children Should Avoid

As my daughter Anna approaches her 15th month of age, I cannot believe how quickly she is changing. From growing over 10 inches in her first year (wow!) to her ability to understand both Spanish and English, on a daily basis I’m simply amazed. She’s scampering around the house and keeps my wife and me on our toes. Kids’ development from all perspectives (physically, mentally, neurologically, socially) is faster during the first year than during any other time of their lives. Ensuring proper nutrition is critical during this process, but just as important is the avoidance of the seemingly ubiquitous pollutants found around us that can affect normal development. Unfortunately, our world has become a place full of chemicals that are nearly impossible to avoid including paints, glues, garden chemicals, vehicle emissions and so on. And because young children are typically more inquisitive than their older counterparts, risk from multiple contact routes (skin, inhalational and oral) is increased. Plus, per unit body weight, children eat more food and breathe more air than adults, which again increases their exposure. Some chemicals are more dangerous than others and understanding which chemicals must be avoided is critical to your child’s (and your) health.

1. Bisphenol A (BPA)

You might have been hearing about this chemical lately. There has been a lot of press about the problems associated with BPA, especially following the Food and Drug Administration’s change on its position with BPA. It is estimated that 93% of Americans have BPA in their body and although it was previously considered to pose no health risks to humans, in January of this year, the FDA made a 180-degree shift by stating BPA is of “some concern” for infants and children. BPA is one of the world’s highest production-volume chemicals and for the last 40 years has been used to make plastics (baby bottles, beverage bottles, lining of food containers, electronics, compact discs, etc.). Another interesting study found that cash register receipts, which use heat to imprint the information (the majority of receipts today) have 10-50 times the amount of BPA found in plastics. So don’t let your children play with receipts and store them away from where kids can get into them. It appears that BPA can affect the brain, reproductive systems and even promote asthma in susceptible children. Another study showed that BPA is linked to heart disease in adults. Fortunately, because of these recent studies, many manufactures are taking it upon themselves to remove BPA from products when possible. So, be sure to look for “BPA-free” on the labels of many plastic and food containers. Instead of drinking water from plastic bottles (and the “flimsier” the plastics, the greater the BPA content), switch to stainless steel or glass bottles, especially if there is a chance that the bottle may be exposed to heat. Plastic containers exposed to heat appear to have greater amounts of BPA than non-heated containers. As a result, be sure to avoid heating food in plastic containers or covering your food with plastic when heating in the microwave.

2. PFOA and PFOS

Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are known as perfluorinated chemicals. These 26 and 35 scrabble word scores, respectively, are quite a mouthful to say, and they can cause serious problems when we’re exposed to them. More specifically, liver damage, hormone imbalances, and infertility are issues that are well-documented with PFOA and PFOS exposure. In fact, a 2009 study in the journal Human Reproduction demonstrated that women with the highest measured levels of PFOAs and PFOSs took up to 154% longer to become pregnant. Although a recent study by the governmental organization National Institute of Health did not find any connection with PFOAs and PFOSs causing developmental delays in children, they did recommend “further study” and “limiting or avoiding pediatric exposure.” These chemicals are often found in teflon and other non-stick cookware, stain-proof and no-iron or “wrinkle-free” fabrics, microwave popcorn bags and flame retardants. It turns out that many infant and children’s clothing are being bathed in PFOAs and PFOSs for their flame retardant qualities, but a recent Environmental Protection Agency panel is requiring all manufacturers to have these chemicals completely removed from children’s clothing by 2015. In addition to this good news, manufacturers are required to list these chemicals on clothing labels; so, be sure to read all children’s clothing labels and avoid those products that contain either PFOAs or PFOSs. Plus, by having your children consume plenty of fresh drinking water and eat lots of fresh, organic vegetables, you’re helping to ensure that their natural detoxification pathways are working properly.

3. Phthalates

Found in perfumes, cosmetics and very soft plastics (plastic wrap and children’s toys, for example), phthalates are a part of many of the products we use on a daily basis. On children’s toys, the most common type of phthalate is diisononyl phthalate or DINP—time to get your scrabble board out again. Unfortunately DINP does not “bind” to toys very well and can leach out over time. Children who put plastic toys in their mouths significantly increase their exposure to phthalates and parents are urged to keep plastic toys out of children’s mouths. Again, look for labels on toys that are “phthalate-free” or contain ethylene vinyl acetate, or “EVA.”
By informing yourself and taking a little extra time to read labels, you can quite effectively remove many of the harmful chemicals that surround us. Try to limit your use of plastics and instead use glass or stainless steel containers. Be sure to not heat plastic containers, especially if you plan on consuming their contents. By taking these few simple steps, you can dramatically reduce the amount of chemicals found both in your own body and in those of your children.
Dr. Phil Wazny NMD
Contributing Author and Naturopath

Hurray, It’s a Giveaway! snackTAXI Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bags!

SnackTAXI has been around since 2003 making reusable snack and sandwich bags, or as they call them “food movers for a happy planet!”  Erin Kelly-Dill is the mom, owner, and creator, who designed snackTAXI “to stem the tide of plastic ziplock bags that flowed from our house to the landfill when our 3 kids started school! We pack over 500 lunches every year, and had definitely fallen prey to the easy appeal of the ziplock bag.”

SnackTAXIs are absolutely adorable and functional, and they are actually handmade in their home-based workshop by local sewers!  Why use reusable?  One reusable bag has the potential to eliminate an average of 1000 plastic bags over its lifetime!snackTAXIs are lined with coated nylon, and can be machine washed and dried, or simply wiped clean with a damp sponge.

I received a set of snackTAXIs in the mail to try and boy, was it love at first sight!  They come in different sizes and are made with adorable fabrics, and the velcro closure is not only super fast (a lot easier than those green and blue Ziplock lines!), but it allows you to size the bags even smaller if needed (such as after the food is gone).  They are SUPER easy to wash too – I just hand washed mine and then turned them inside out to dry.

From snackTAXI:
The exterior of a snackTAXI is comprised of 100% cotton.  The manufacturer from which we order most of our cotton has had their material tested and found that it is free of lead and phthalates.  We are considering ordering all of our cotton from this manufacturer in the future.

SnackTAXIs are lined with a waterproof material that consists of nylon with a polyurethane coating.  After talking to many manufacturers of this product, we understand that this type of coated nylon is free of heavy metals and phthalates.  We have found a supplier of this coated nylon who has had their product extensively tested.  The tests revealed that the nylon is free of heavy metals (including lead), phthalates, PBBs, and PBDEs.

Enter to Win!

To win a set of two snackTAXIS just send an email to abby@littlemiraclesbabyplanning.com with the subject “snacktaxi” and be entered to win!  Contest ends Thursday April 1st at 12 noon est.

Sleep Training Your Baby

from Parents magazine (Feb. 2010)

A review of 52 articles on sleep training techniques published in Sleep finds that pretty much any method will work if you’re consistent.  The most effective plan is one you can live with night after night and feel good about returning to if your baby falls off the wagon because she gets sick or you go on vacation.
Here are the most popular sleep methods:

1.  Supervised Crying: For the first few days, sit by the crib and calm your baby back to sleep.  Move your chair progressively farther away until you’re shushing her from outside her door – then not at all. Read more in:  The Sleep Lady's Good Night, Sleep Tight: Gentle Proven Solutions to Help Your Child Sleep Well and Wake Up Happy by Kim West

2.  Checking Method: This involves frequent bedside checks at progressively longer intervals but no picking up the baby.  Read more in: Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems: New, Revised, and Expanded Editionby Richard Ferber, M.D.


3. Gentle Approach:  Once your child learns to soothe himself to sleep at bedtime (you put him down and leave, though you can check on him frequently without picking him up), he’ll be able to do so in the middle of the night. This process takes about two weeks, during which time you can do whatever you normally do to soothe him back to sleep at night – nurse or rock him.  Read more in : Sleeping Through the Night, How Infants, Toddlers, and Their Parents Can Get a Good Night's Sleep by Jodi Mindell, PhD.


4. Cry It Out: Kiss and hug your baby, shut the door – and don’t come back until morning, even if she cries for an hour. Read more in: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Childby Marc Weissbluth, M.D.

Recall - Infantino Recalls to Replace SlingRider Baby Slings and a Warning from the CPSC About Baby Slings

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada (HC), in cooperation with Infantino LLC, of San Diego, Calif. are announcing a free replacement program for the Infantino “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” infant slings. One million of these infant slings are being recalled in the United States and 15,000 are being recalled in Canada. CPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using these slings for infants younger than four months of age due to a risk of suffocation and contact Infantino for a free replacement product.

CPSC is aware of three reports of deaths that occurred in these slings in 2009; a 7-week-old infant in Philadelphia, Pa.; a 6-day-old infant in Salem, Ore.; and a 3-month-old infant in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Infantino “SlingRider,” is a soft fabric baby carrier with a padded shoulder strap that is worn by parents and caregivers to carry an infant weighing up to 20 lbs. “Infantino” is printed on the plastic slider located on the strap. “Infantino,” “SlingRider” and the item number are printed on the instruction/warning label inside the baby sling carrier. “Wendy Bellissimo” branded sling carriers were sold exclusively at Babies “R” Us and have a sewn-in label on the inside of the sling strap that says in part "Wendy Bellissimo Media, Inc." and lists Item numbers 3937500H7 and 3937501H7.

Infantino LLC sold the slings in the United States and Canada from January 2003 through March 2010 at Walmart, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Babies “R” Us, BJ’s Wholesale, various baby and children’s stores and other retailers nationwide, and on the Web at Amazon.com, for between $25 and $30.
The product was manufactured in China and Thailand.

Consumers should stop using the recalled slings immediately and contact Infantino to receive a free replacement product, with a choice of a Wrap & Tie infant carrier, or a 2 in 1 Shopping Cart Cover, or a 3 in 1 Grow & Play Activity Gym. A Jittery Pals Rattle will also be provided. Contact Infantino toll-free at (866) 860-1361 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.infantino.com

Do not attempt to fix these carriers.
CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1001

Additional Message from CPSC:
On March 12, 2010, CPSC issued a warning about sling carriers for babies. Slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling’s fabric can press against an infant’s nose and mouth, blocking the baby’s breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two. Additionally, where a sling keeps the infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.

CPSC has determined that a mandatory standard is needed for infant sling carriers. While a mandatory standard is being developed, CPSC staff is working with ASTM International and concerned companies such as Infantino to quickly develop an effective voluntary standard for slings. There currently are no safety standards for infant sling carriers.
---

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC's Web site atwww.cpsc.gov.

Infant Deaths Prompt CPSC Warning About Sling Carriers for Babies

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising parents and caregivers to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months of age. In researching incident reports from the past 20 years, CPSC identified and is investigating at least 14 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers, including three in 2009. Twelve of the deaths involved babies younger than four months of age.

Slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling’s fabric can press against an infant’s nose and mouth, blocking the baby’s breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two. Additionally, where a sling keeps the infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.
Many of the babies who died in slings were either a low birth weight twin, were born prematurely, or had breathing issues such as a cold. Therefore, CPSC urges parents of preemies, twins, babies in fragile health and those with low weight to use extra care and consult their pediatricians about using slings.

Two months ago, the Commission added slings to the list of durable infant products that require a mandatory standard. Additionally, CPSC staff is actively investigating these products to determine what additional action may be appropriate. Until a mandatory standard is developed, CPSC is working with ASTM International to quickly complete an effective voluntary standard for infant sling carriers.

CPSC recommends that parents and caregivers make sure the infant’s face is not covered and is visible at all times to the sling’s wearer. If nursing the baby in a sling, change the baby’s position after feeding so the baby’s head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother’s body. Parents and caregivers should be vigilant about frequently checking their baby in a sling.

Safe Baby Products

We wade through the murky waters of baby products to help you find out whether to throw the baby wash out with the bathwater

from www.todaysparent.com by Wendy Haaf

When you’re smoothing that sweet-smelling lotion on your baby’s skin, are you doing more harm than good? It depends on whom you ask. Recent news reports might have us believe that when it comes to infant care, the more natural the better, but many mainstream scientists have found little evidence of hidden health hazards in commonly used baby products. We spoke to people in both camps to give you a balanced look at what’s really going on inside that bottle of baby bubble bath.

Whiff of danger

Practically every product on the store shelf — from baby lotion to laundry detergent — has some kind of fragrance. So what’s the problem? Scented products are more likely than fragrance-free varieties to trigger asthma symptoms and eczema flare-ups in susceptible kids. Nor are artificial perfumes the only offenders — natural fragrances can also set off symptoms. What’s more, some essential oils, such as citrus, can severely irritate skin, even in people who aren’t eczema-prone.

Barbara Harris, a representative of the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia, contends allergies to fragrances are becoming more common, and the ubiquity of perfumed products is partly to blame. “When you’re constantly exposed to something, the chance of sensitization is greater,” she says.

While there’s no proof that exposure to scented products can actually increase the probability a child will develop eczema, allergies or hay fever, if any of these “allergic diseases” runs in your family or your partner’s, that’s reason enough to consider going fragrance-free when it comes to baby’s skin.

The flap over phthalates

What keeps that body wash bottle squishy? Or prevents the perfume in baby lotion from evaporating as soon as it’s exposed to air? Often, the chemical in question is a phthalate, a group of chemicals recently thrust into the media spotlight. Some research — most of it on animals — suggests these chemicals block the effects of testosterone, which could potentially cause reproductive system abnormalities in baby boys, and alter the normal balance of sex hormones in older boys. For instance, a 2005 study found baby boys of mothers whose urine contained high levels of phthalates were more likely to have smaller penises and less developed testicles than the sons of women whose urine showed lower levels, says Kapil Khatter, a family physician and pollution policy advisor for Environmental Defence, a Toronto-based advocacy group.

All that sounds scary, but many mainstream medical experts argue that while phthalates may interfere with the male hormone, the amounts we encounter every day seem to be too low to cause health problems. And that’s keeping in mind these chemicals are also widely used in a host of other products, such as vinyl toys, plastic bags, household cleansers and air fresheners, notes Warren Foster, a phthalate researcher and director of the Centre for Reproductive Biology at McMaster University in Hamilton. Health Canada is taking a two-pronged look at phthalates. First, it’s measuring phthalate levels in blood and tissue samples taken from 5,000 Canadians. Second, it has launched a study of 2,000 pregnant women, and their newborns, that will broaden our understanding of how environmental chemicals affect the population.

Harris, for one, will be examining the study’s findings. She says that phthalates are linked to miscarriages, birth defects, infertility and cancer. Certain pesticides, she points out, when combined in low doses, are much more toxic than much higher doses of either single chemical. “These things are very difficult to study because the more things you combine, the more complex and expensive the research is,” she says. Harris also asserts babies may be particularly vulnerable to the potential ill effects of phthalates and other chemicals; because their immune systems and organs (including those that get rid of toxins) are still developing, they breathe in more air relative to their body size and chemicals can more easily penetrate their skin.

Regardless of which side you believe, you may still want to minimize your baby’s exposure to phthalates. So what can you do?

First, choose products specifically formulated for kids. According to Luisa Carter-Phillips, head of Health Canada’s cosmetics division, no children’s toiletries sold in Canada contain phthalates as one of the main ingredients. And even though the agency doesn’t consider them to be a health threat, Health Canada, as a precautionary measure, plans to ban certain phthalates from kids’ personal care products, replacing the current voluntary ban.

Skip the scent. Phthalates are often found in synthetic scents, so you can reduce exposure further by going scent-free.

Limit your child’s use of perfumes, colognes and nail polishes. According to tests conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), some perfumes and colognes contain much higher concentrations of diethyl phthalate than other personal care products. (To find out more, visit nottoopretty.com, select Scientific Reports, and click on Not Too Pretty.) A more recent round of testing by the EWG also revealed relatively high levels of dibutyl phthalate in many nail polishes. While there’s no proof the chemicals are harmful, advocates like Khatter argue it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it’s possible to avoid unnecessary exposure.

Best before...

Ever wonder why lotions don’t separate and go sour? While other preservatives can do the job, a group of chemicals called parabens are commonly used to lengthen the shelf-life of products such as lotions. The problem, though, is that “parabens mimic estrogen,” notes Harris, which may be a concern since high levels of the hormone have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly breast cancer.

But, just as with phthalates, there’s little evidence that the amounts in toiletries pose this hazard, according to Michael Rieder, a member of the Canadian Paediatric Society’s Drug Therapy and Hazardous Substances Committee. While a 2004 study detected these chemicals in breast tumors, scientists later discovered all of the samples in the study — including ‘blanks’ containing no tissue — were contaminated with parabens. Still, Health Canada will continue to monitor any new research suggesting a link between parabens and breast cancer.

Rather avoid parabens anyway? Here’s how:
Look on the label. Parabens will often be listed by name on the box or bottle — some examples include methylparaben and propylparaben.
Do your research. Use the sites listed in “Resources” to find products that are paraben- and phthalate-free. Or check out the “cheat sheets” at safemama.com.

Soap opera

It’s the ingredient that makes many shampoos and body washes froth, but its possible effects on baby could get you in a real lather. Sodium lauryl sulphate (or SLS; found in some shampoos, bath products and toothpastes) can irritate skin and eyes. (Since infants’ skin is sensitive, many manufacturers already avoid using the chemical in their baby products.) SLS may also worsen skin reactions to other irritants in susceptible kids, so steer clear if your baby has sensitive skin or if allergies run in your family.

SLS has also been the subject of several Internet hoaxes alleging the chemical is known to cause cancer — but according to the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (checnet.org), there’s no evidence that SLS is carcinogenic. However, groups such as the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia claim SLS can react with other ingredients to form small amounts of cancer-promoting chemicals. Is it worth skipping toiletries containing SLS? Only you can decide. Arguably, any risk would be small — most of these products are rinsed off almost as soon as they come in contact with the skin.

The bottom line

A small hypothetical risk — if any — sums up what mainstream medical experts told us. That said, there may be other valid reasons to skip lovely-smelly lotions, washes, creams and shampoos until your newborn is a few months old. Cleansers can strip protective oils from that petal-soft skin. After all, the most natural approach to skin care is knowing when to leave well enough alone.

Out of harm’s way

Here are a few of the product lines that get the seal of approval from the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia’s Guide to Less Toxic Products (lesstoxicguide.ca) or the US Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database (cosmetics database.com).
• Anointment Handmade Natural Skincare
• Aubrey Organics
• California Baby
• Earth Tribe
• Moonsnail Soapworks

Hurray, It’s a Giveaway! Somebubby Clever Couture for Baby Boys!

Somebubby is a line of functional and timeless couture fashion for baby created and designed by a fashion savvy American mom.  Kim, the designer and creator, sent me a sample to try for my son, as well as an adorable onesie to giveaway to my readers.  Her clothing is SO stinkin’ cute, and I decided to use my son as my model to show you just how cute they are!

Adorable and clever?  Yes.  Functional?  Yes.  Green?  Yes!  Each Somebubby piece is not only designed for easy washing because each tie and bowtie is detachable and interchangeable (snaps), but each piece is also made with 100% organic cotton and recycled vintage fabrics in the ties (made in the USA).  It all sounds too good to be true, right?  But there’s one more thing:  a percentage of every Somebubby purchase goes to the global charity “Save the Children.”  Yessssss.

Check out their website at www.somebubby.com to pick up some adorable couture for your baby or little boy (or for a gift) and also help support a mom-created business!  I love to support other moms, especially those who try to make a difference by offering our babies organic choices and also help to make the world a better place.  Thanks Kim!

Enter to Win!

For your chance to be entered to win a classic Somebubby onesie, size 6-12 months, check out the Somebubby website and then send an email to abby@littlemiraclesbabyplanning.com with the subject Somebubby.  If you’ve already entered or won previous contests you can still enter to win!  Spread the word!  Contest ends Thursday March 25th at noon est.

Recall – Graco Highchairs

from www.thebump.com

Thursday, March 18, 2010: Graco and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have announced a recall of 1.2 million high chairs today, after 464 separate complaints were filed against the Graco Harmony high hair. According to the CPSC, the complaints all concerned screws or plastic brackets on the high chair coming loose and falling out, causing the high chair to tip over. In total, 24 injuries have been reported so far, causing hairline fractures to the arm and bumps and bruises to the head.
Wondering if your high chair is affected? Graco has identified the following models as having the safety problem (these models may begin with the letter A, B, C, or D):
3920BAN
3920BAN2
3920BEB
3920BEBB
3920COV
3920DOH
3920GEI
3920GEIDSP
3920GRN
3920HMP
3920IVY
3920LAU
3920PKR
3930DDH
3930DHO
3935CAL
3935OXB
3935PKR
3935PKRDSP
3935SPM
3935SPMDSP
3935THR
3935THR2
3935THR3
3940BIA
3940BIADSP
3940CAP
3940COT
3940DRM
3940HML
3940MCH
3940NGS
3940SAV
3940SLT
3940SPT
3940STA
3940UNN
3951CLO
3951CLT
3951COT
3951ORC
3951WLO
3955WSR
3960BGN
3960CJG
3960CNP
3960GGG
3980CNR
3E00ABB
3E00BAT
3E00DCF
3E00DCFDSP
3E00DGP
3E00DGPDSP
3E00GPK
3E01BDS
3E01BDSCA
3E01BDSCA
3E01DNY
3E01DNY1
3E01ELP
3E01ELPDSP
1752404
1755859
1755860
1757259
1757412
1760429
HERE is the link to the CPSC recall notice.

Old Advice You Can Ignore: The Real Goods on Standard Baby Wisdom

from www.todaysparent.com by Teresa Pitman
When Jocelyn Seeley-Baechler was pregnant with her first child, Gavin, she asked family members for any advice they might have about breastfeeding. Her mother-in-law, who had breastfed all four of her boys for at least a year, told her that it was important to “toughen up” her nipples by rubbing them several times a day with a washcloth during her pregnancy — otherwise they might be sore when the baby started nursing.
“Just by chance, I mentioned this to my midwife and learned that it’s no longer considered helpful,” Seeley-Baechler says. “I certainly can’t fault my mother-in-law for the bad advice, though — that was the information she was given 30 years ago.”

It’s natural for new parents to turn to experienced parents for support and information, but they may not be aware that current recommendations have changed.

Read on for the top 10 pieces of advice you’d be advised to ignore, according to some of the nurses and staff at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health in Ontario.

1 “You should toughen up your nipples to make breastfeeding less painful.” Public health nurse and lactation consultant Linda Southall explains: “Toughening up nipples is unnecessary and can induce preterm labour. Successful breastfeeding depends on the correct latch and positioning of the baby. Breastfeeding should not be painful — there may be some tenderness in the first few days, but this should soon subside.”

2 “If you pick up a crying baby, you will spoil him — and the crying develops his lungs.” Public health nurse Laurie Cadman says, “Crying is your baby’s only way to tell you he or she needs something. Research has shown that babies who are responded to promptly cry less.”

3 “Babies should be put down to sleep on their tummies so they won’t choke if they spit up.” There is no evidence that babies who sleep on their tummies are more likely to choke, explains public health nurse Ann Mulder. “Healthy babies will automatically swallow or cough up fluids.” In fact, she adds, “the latest research shows that sleeping on their backs greatly reduces babies’ risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).”

4 “Babies need to be bathed every day.” Not so, explains public health nurse Elaine Weir. “Bathing your baby two or three times a week will keep him clean — you are already cleaning the diaper area with each diaper change. Baby’s face, neck and groin creases may need some spot cleaning. More frequent bathing can contribute to dry skin, especially in the winter.”

5 “Giving your baby a pacifier or letting him suck his thumb will misalign his teeth.” If the child is still using a pacifier or sucking his thumb when the permanent teeth come in, this can cause a problem, says public health nurse Margaret Bray Holzinger. “And excess use of a pacifier can cause speech delay and change the shape of the baby’s palate and mouth.” For more on pacifiers, see The Great Pacifier Debate.

6 “Dress your baby very warmly, especially at night.” Babies who are too warm may become too sleepy to breastfeed, but a greater concern is the risk of SIDS, says public health nurse Cynthia Montanaro. “Dress your baby in lightweight clothing and blankets. Be reassured that if you are comfortable with your room temperature, then your baby is too.”

7 “Once a baby gets teeth, it’s time to stop breastfeeding, and breastfeeding for ‘too long’ causes emotional problems.” It isn’t necessary to stop nursing when a baby gets teeth, says Southall. “Research shows that breastfeeding beyond one year benefits the baby with perfect nutrition and increased immunity to disease, and avoids allergies. Psychologically, studies show these children have better social adjustment. A child who is allowed to wean himself naturally is generally more independent and more secure in himself.”

8 “Babies who are learning to walk need to have sturdy shoes to support their ankles.” That’s a myth, says public health nurse Jean Rudland. “When your baby is walking indoors, bare feet allow him to grip the floor and develop steadiness as he learns this new skill.” Obviously, there are times when shoes are needed to keep your baby’s feet safe and clean. You should choose shoes that are soft, breathable, with non-skid soles, and that allow for flexibility at the toes, arch and ankles.

9 “Start solid foods and your baby will sleep through the night.” This is a favourite old wives’ tale. “Research has shown that feeding solids does not help a baby sleep longer,” says registered dietitian Barbara Bartle. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively up to six months of age.

10 “Get your baby on a feeding schedule as soon as possible.” A better approach is to watch for your baby’s signals — sucking on hands, turning his head as though searching, fussing, etc. “Babies should be fed on demand,” says Bartle. “They listen to their internal hunger cues and should be fed when they are hungry, not when the clock has reached a specific time.”
If you hear other advice that you’re not certain about, check with your doctor, midwife or a public health nurse — they’ll be able to let you know the most up-to-date information about baby care.

POST-PARTUM CARE

by Ivanna Campbell at www.empoweredmommies.com
While it’s true that your newborn demands a lot of attention and tender loving care during the first few weeks after birth, you need to take care of yourself too. And as a novice mom, it’s easy to lose track of that amidst late night feedings, lack of sleep and the overall overwhelming feeling of taking care of a new life.

This notion of remembering to take care of yourself can quickly dissipate among the many to-dos that come with taking care of a new baby, other children, a household etc. But it’s really important to seek help when necessary and understand all the changes that take place between birth and the first post-partum check up at 6 weeks. After all, it’s not just your physical well being, but also your psychological and emotional recovery that is as equally important.

So, don’t be afraid to go back to basics. Throw away all your to-do lists and just focus on you and the baby! Try to forget about the piling laundry, cooking, and other chores. Don’t feel guilty about staying in your pajamas for a large part of the day or asking for help or ordering food or accepting prepared dishes from friends and family during this critical post-partum time period.

If you’re lucky enough to have family come stay with you, then definitely take advantage of that! During that important healing period (6 weeks post-partum) you will notice different things happenings with your body. Below is a list of the most common and ways to alleviate them.

WEEKS 1 and 2
You May Notice:
· Period like pains called “uterine contractions”
· Continued bleeding even passing small blood clots. Bleeding usually goes from bright red at the beginning to brownish discharge towards the end of week 2
· Breast engorgement especially if your breast milk is coming in already. Watch out for “mastitis” which can become serious if left untreated. (See symptoms of that below).
· Episiotomy pain. * If you had a c-section you may have pain in the abdomen incision site)
· Hemorrhoids due to all the pushing and some constipation

Ways to Alleviate:
· Take ibuprofen for the uterine cramps. You can also try warm showers and massages to alleviate the pain.
· Nurse as frequently as possible to avoid the breast engorgement and apply warm compresses to the breasts to help with milk letdown. Consult a Lactation Consultant if you are experiencing pain towards the end of Week 2.
· Take sitz baths to treat your vaginal area and use hemorrhoids wipes and cream to sooth the bottom.
· Drink lots of water and ate fruits and vegetables to avoid constipation.


WEEKS 3 and 4
You May Notice:
· Tiredness, grumpiness and possibly, moodiness * (Read up on the difference between hormonal fluctuations/baby blues and what some new moms experience which is full blown PPD or ask your Obgyn to explain the difference)
· Sleep-deprivation
· Continued soreness in breasts and vaginal region

Ways to Alleviate:
· Try to sleep when you can. Enlist help from others when possible. Ask husband or other family member for help with feedings (through expressed, pumped breast milk bottles)
· Get out of the house to go for walks and see the outside world.
· Practice breathing exercises and visualization to relax and stay positive
· Do stretch and back exercises especially for your lower back

WEEKS 5 and 6
You May Notice:
· Even though you may start to heal physically from birth, you may feel strange about your body. Big boobs, pooch belly and tired.
· Incontinence.
· Sleep-deprived
· Continuing hemorrhoids

Ways to Alleviate:
· Start working out gently, but more often and do more stretching and back exercises
· Kegels, Kegels, Kegels! (so important not only for your potential incontinence, but also for your sexual recovery)
· Nap where possible
· Continue sitz baths


IMPORTANT: There are some serious signs that need to be taken very seriously and immediately reported to your doctor if they happen during this period. Don’t wait until the 6 week post-partum check up to tell your doctor about these!
· Unexplained swelling in any of your extremities
· Fever
· Severe vomiting
· Deep chest pains
· Vaginal bleeding that gets worse and worse
· Foul-smelling discharge from your vagina or C-section incision
· Hot or red breasts (especially if you have a fever or accompanying chills). This can be a sign of mastitis. A bacterial infection of the breasts that needs to be treated with antibiotics to avoid complications.
· Extreme sadness, depression or thoughts of harming you or your baby

American Academy of Pediatrics Strongly "OPPOSES" Spanking

by Ann Corwin Ph.D on www.parentsask.com
The issue of spanking is, without question, a never-ending discussion. It seems that every week there is a new study that attempts to prove either the benefits of spanking  or the dangerous ramifications of it.  No matter where you stand on the great spanking divide, the issue, without questions, is a never-ending discussion.

In response to our story on Wednesday, Parents Ask expert and "Parenting Doctor" Ann Corwin had this to say: "While your article on spanking is very thought provoking and will probably get lots of comments, it fails to point out one VERY important point and that is that spanking NEVER changes behavior and always breeds resentment toward the person (namely the parent) who hurts the child physically."

Dr. Corwin is obviously not alone in her sentiment. In fact, The American Academy of Pediatrics released this statement:
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly opposes striking a child for any reason. If a spanking is spontaneous, parents should later explain calmly why they did it, the specific behavior that provoked it, and how angry they felt. They also might apologize to their child for their loss of control. This usually helps the youngster to understand and accept the spanking, and it models for the child how to remediate a wrong.
Bottom line: No matter where you stand on the great spanking divide, the issue, without questions, is a never-ending discussion.

Hurray it’s a Giveaway! Happy Baby Food

A few short years ago, HAPPYBABY was the first premium baby brand to enter the market in 5 small stores in New York City—at a time when there were no homestyle options for parents to feed their children. Processed foods or homemade baby food—which can be time consuming for busy families—were the only options. A lot has changed, and they are now the leading premium brand of baby and toddler meals in the U.S.—sold in over 5,000 stores with 5 different lines of optimally delicious organic foods for your growing family.
They attribute their success to their dedication to only creating the very best products, their commitment to always doing what is right as a business, their amazing team of brilliant colleagues and advisors—and to you. You are the parents that demand that your children get foods that truly nourish their bodies and support their growth as healthy happy individuals for the years to come.
HAPPYFAMILY offers a complete line of organic nutrition made with 100% natural ingredients and no chemical pesticides or fertilizers and no GMO’s, all in BPA free packaging for your baby, toddler, and preschooler including:

Fresh frozen baby food line: HAPPYBABY

• 
  Each box has 12 individual cubes of baby food, so there is no waste and no heating in plastic. Just pop out what you need, heat, and enjoy. We created optimally nourishing recipes with Dr Sears, select the best organic ingredients, steam, puree, and flash freeze to lock in the taste, texture and color of real fresh foods, so you don't have to! 15 flavors with a variety of meats, fruits, vegetables and grains.
  

HAPPYBELLIES cereals

• 
  HAPPYBELLIES cereals are the first organic baby cereal to incorporate DHA for brain and eye development and the first baby food to incorporate the power of probiotics for baby's wellness.  Available in brown rice, oatmeal, and multi-grain.
  • Probiotic protection: Good bacteria specially formulated to help strengthen your baby's digestive system which can protect against the development of allergies
  • Enriched: with DHA for eye and brain development, plus iron, vitamins and minerals essential to baby's health
  • Doctor endorsed: Recommended  by and developed with Dr.Sears
  • 100% natural: We support sustainable agriculture. No pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, no genetically engineered ingredients (GEIs). BPA FREE.
  

Whole grain PUFFS finger food

• 
  Made with whole grains, Our Puffs come in three organic flavors to give baby variety and build growing palettes. Supplemented with vitamins and minerals, our Puffs also come in green packaging that allowed us to reduce our imprint, offer 40% more in each container, and pass the savings on you!
  

HAPPYMELTS yogurt snacks

• 
  The only organic freeze dried yogurt snack on the market for babies and toddlers. And it's the only baby food with prebiotics and probiotics!
  HAPPYMELTS are a truly delicious and nutritious treat made with the goodness of organic yogurt and fruit. This yummy snack offers protein, low-sugar, and the added boost of pre and probiotics for digestive wellness.
  

Handheld toddler meals: HAPPYBITES

• 
  A complete line of nutrition for your toddler and young child, HAPPYBITES are yummy, balanced meals in easy-to-pick-up handheld sizes. They taste great with flavors kids love and are packed with hidden veggies in every bite!
  
• 
  Includes breakfast pockets, chicken bites, fish bites, mac & cheese, salmon stix & veggie tots
  

You can buy HAPPYFAMILY products at stores such as Super Target, Whole Foods, Earth Fare, Babies R Us and other retailers, as well as online at AMAZON.COM.

Enter to Win Free Happy Baby Food!

To enter to win a box of Happy Baby food that includes organic brown rice cereal, puffs, yogurt melts, and a bunch of coupons for savings on Happy Baby products, just send an email to abby@littlemiraclesbabyplanning.com with the subject Happy Baby.  If you’ve previously won you can still enter to win!  Contest ends Thurs March 18th at noon est.

Hand Sanitizers for Baby – Not as Safe as You Think

from www.safemama.com

We’ve made no secret that we’re opposed to hand sanitizers, but we realize that sometimes you’re in a pinch and you just need to use them.  We’ve also gotten tons of emails regarding CleanWell, so I figured I’d look into it more and report my findings.

CleanWell is an all natural sanitizer that is free of alcohol, triclosan and other such toxic chemicals.  It works by naturally killing bacteria and is safe for all ages. I first gave this stuff a whirl while I was at the aquarium with my son.  He had just had his hands in the please touch shark tank, and given that he’s (still) teething, his hands gravitate immediately towards his mouth all.the.time.  I could have easily walked him over to the bathroom which was down the hall, but I figured that CleanWell was probably the lesser of two evils, given that the soap in the bathroom was probably loaded with triclosan anyway.   I can’t say that I’m a fan of the smell, and who knows if it really actually helped or not.  It pleased my OCD husband to be able to kill germs on his hands.  CleanWell isn’t sticky or tacky like conventional hand sanitizers can be, and one small bottle has over 200 sprays.  It’s inexpensive and easy to stick in a handbag or diaper bag.

While I DO promote soap and water over hand sanitizers, there are some instances where I’m sure I’ll be glad to have it. What I don’t like about CleanWell is the fact that they use a “proprietary” formula called Ingenium, which is their own patented formula.  Look, I’m all for patents, but to me “proprietary” screams “we don’t have to tell you.”   I’m sure that CleanWell is perfectly safe, just like they say, but I don’t dig the term “proprietary” when I’m using a product that goes on or into my family’s body.   Again, I’ll use it in a pinch, but I may just invest in a bottle of Clean George instead.

You can find CleanWell in Target, some Whole Foods stores, or on Amazon.

Many will argue that hand sanitizers do more harm than good, and I tend to agree in terms of preventing illnesses.  Immunity tolerance is an important part of a developing child’s life.  However I can appreciate the need for something in a pinch, say after visiting a rest stop on I-95? Ick.  The ingredients in typical hand sanitizers like Purell are less than desirable.  Just to give you an idea, Purell rates a 7 in the Skin Deep Database.  And there is the whole “it could kill you if swallowed” factor due to the concentrated amount of alcohol.

I came across Clean George and I breathed a sigh of relief that I found something safe and kid-friendly.  Clean George is a hand purifier as opposed to a sanitizer.  Traditional alcohol based sanitizers kill good and bad bacteria alike, which can actually make you susceptible to germs that make you sick.   Clean George uses tea tree oil for its natural antibacterial properties.  One squirt cleans off hands and leaves them feeling soft and moisturized, instead of dried out like some alcohol based ones tend to do.  It’s list of certified organic ingredients aid to clean hands without promoting germ resistance.

Clean George is a very eco-conscious company using 100% post recycled plastic for their containers use only 100% recycled “save a tree” paper with vegetable ink, even for their business cards!  Clean George is not tested on animals and is certified by EcoCert.  It contains no icky synthetic ingredients, which is what I love the most!

I have used CleanWell with my baby and I have to say that I love the small packets of wipes that I can throw in my diaper bag and keep in my car. They are perfecting for cleaning little hands after trips to the park, the store, and before eating. I feel much better about using these than traditional hand sanitizers since I know his little hands are always going directly in his mouth.

Two Good Books on Reducing Chemical Exposure on our Children

from Mindful Momma


My blogging pal, Jennifer Taggart, wrote a book called Smart Mama's Green Guide: Simple Steps to Reduce Your Child's Toxic Chemical Exposure Smart Mama's Green Guide: Simple Steps to Reduce Your Child's Toxic Chemical Exposure.  She is an environmental attorney and let me tell you, she knows her stuff!!  I met her at BlogHer last year and to listen to her rattle off the names of chemicals is darned impressive.  The book explains how toxic chemicals have come to permeate our everyday lives, informs us which products are the worst offenders and shows us how to find safer alternatives. 
The primary focus of the book is on families with kids although anyone could learn a ton from it.  You'll find information on food, baby gear, bath products, cleaning products...there is even a chapter on what to ask when you are searching for a day-care.  If your concern is radon, lead, BPA, phthalates, parabens...you name it...it's in this book. I am constantly looking things up in here - it's a very helpful resource!



Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things Slow Death by Rubber Duck is an intriguing book written by two environmental big-wigs (Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie). In order to see first-hand the effects of environmental toxins, they experimented by using suspect chemicals on their own bodies.  And they came to some pretty worrisome conclusions when they measured the results.
The book is pretty engaging, for a book about chemicals.  Each chapter starts with a story.  One of my favorites was when one of the authors was appalled to discover that there was triclosan in his garden hose.  "For the love of God...Is there no corner of our lives that hasn't been invaded by chemical companies peddling their modern-day snake oil?" he said, when he realized that he had been watering his homegrown tomato plants with germicide.
One of the more salient conclusions of the book is that, yes, individual action does matter but "for a long-term fix, only improved government regulation and oversight of toxic chemicals is the answer."  I'm with the authors 100% on that one!
Both books empower readers with simple steps and changes that will make your world a safer place.  Both books also reinforce the fact that it is impossible to completely eliminate exposure to toxic chemicals.  We don't live in a bubble.  But as Jennifer says in the introduction to her book: "I believe you can change your world."

Baby Wearing

Baby wearing tips from www.safemama.com

Baby wearing tips:

It’s easy to get frustrated when learning how to wear your baby.   Follow some of these tips and you’ll be a pro in no time:

• Practice practice practice.  Practice with stuffed animals before your baby is born.  Practice around the house when your baby is born.   The more you do it, the easier it becomes.
• Read the instruction manual.  As with any baby gear, reading the manual is essential.  You not only want to get the most out of your baby wearing apparatus, but you want your baby to be safe.
• Check on your baby often.  If you’re wearing your baby in a cradle hold, make sure their they have sufficient air flow.  Also make sure their heads are tilted back enough to allow easy breathing.
• Invest in a good carrier.   You want something that is going to be comfortable to wear, otherwise, you’re going to end up ditching the idea, more often than not.   If your carrier is comfortable, you won’t notice that you’ve got a baby attached to the front of you.  Unless of course, they punch you in the nose, or grab your hair.
• Invest in a few carriers.   Depending on your activities, you might want to have a few different types of carriers on hand.   Also, if both parents like baby wearing, you’re bound to have different tastes in carriers.  Your husband/partner may not like wearing something pink and floral. Worst case: If you hate them, they retain value if they’re in good condition so you can get some of your money back on eBay.

Can Folate Correct the Effects of BPA Exposure?

from www.asoftlanding.com

Is there anyway to counteract the effects of BPA exposure?

Over the last few years we’ve been smacked by so much information about the damage done to our endocrine systems by hormone-mimicking chemicals like BPA.  We’ve removed as many obvious sources as we can, and yet so  many are simply out of our control.  Canned foods remain one of those BPA-laden giants and manufacturers are having a hard time finding safer alternatives, leaving busy folks with few pre-prepared choices.

So what can we do to protect ourselves against exposures we can’t control?  And beyond that, is there anyway to reverse damage that has already been done?

There is exciting news on this front!  Dr. Greene recently discussed the protective nature of folate intake based on a preliminary study done by Duke University researchers.  They found that the effects of BPA on the babies of pregnant mice were negated when folate was introduced.  This was true even with significant exposure to the endocrine disrupting chemical!

These nutrients switched the genes back the way they should be, and the BPA effect was completely nullified. The researchers describe this as compelling evidence that certain nutrients can counteract BPA when given during pregnancy.  Beyond this, the researchers propose that these nutrients could block the effects of chemical estrogen exposures, even if given later in childhood and possibly even in adulthood.

In The New American Diet, author Steve Perrine takes this theory even further.  He explains that research has linked the addition of huge amounts of corn and soy in our diets to a decrease in folate intake (we’re talking about soy-based products here, not whole organic soy foods).  Americans are more likely to choose highly processed, packaged foods over fresh fruits and vegetables than ever before.

Mr. Perrine gives us a clear picture of folate’s key role in our health when he describes how some scientists liken folate to a canary in a coal mine:

When folate levels drop, levels of obesity, hear disease, stroke cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s, depression – and even resistance to some antidepressant therapies – go up.

Now before you run out to buy a folic-acid supplement, you should know that studies show that getting your folate from fresh food offers twice the protection.  The best sources of folate are found in green leafy vegetables such as:

• Romaine lettuce
• Spinach
• Kale
• Endive
• Swiss Chard

Always be sure to choose organic, pesticide free fruits and vegetables so you don’t end up adding yet another endocrine disruptor to your diet.  If you’re not sure how to prioritize your organic buying choices to best fit your budget, be sure to check out the Environmental Working Group’s excellent work on the subject here.

>> You can find other good folate sources can be found here.

Hurray, It’s a Giveaway! Safe Starter Stainless Steel Bottles

 

The Safe Starter The Safe Sippy

With all the hype around bad plastics it sometimes just feels good to go with an alternative for your baby – like safe stainless steel.  Kid Basix is the maker of The Safe Sippy, The Safe Sporter, and The Safe Starter bottle.  Although they are stainless steel on the inside I was impressed by how light these bottles are.  They are covered with a silicone sleeve and the bottle and all of its parts are dishwasher safe!  Why go stainless?  Here’s a great answer from Kid Basix:

Kid Basix created The Safe Sippy™ drink cup in response to parents’ growing concerns about Bisphenol A and other harmful chemicals present in many plastic bottles. Now, we have expanded the “Safe” brand to include The Safe Starter™ stainless steel baby bottle and The Safe Sporter™ sports bottles to provide safe, reusable drink ware for the entire family.

Why go with stainless steel bottles from Kid Basix when so many BPA-free plastic bottles are available now? We can give you 300 billion reasons. That’s the approximate number of plastic water bottles discarded around the world every year. Enough to power 12 million cars for an entire year. And that’s just the water bottles! It doesn’t include all the plastic bottles used for sodas, sports drinks, fruit juices and the like. All told, the plastic bottles we throw away each year would reach to the moon and back – 1500 times. So using reusable stainless steel bottles makes sense on every level: personal, local and global.

I own The Safe Sippy as well and use it with my one and a half year old.  The hard spout was hard for him to use when he was a baby, but after about 15 months he decided he loved the “strawlikeness” of the hard spout.  Kid Basix has since made The Safe Sippy2 which I think is an even better version with a cap and travel plug.

You can buy any of these Kid Basix items on Amazon.  The silicon sleeves come in pretty pastels of green, blue, or pink, and the bottles come in both 5 and 9 oz options.  I have say it’s also a super cute bottle, nothing wrong with that!

Enter to Win!

Enter to win a Kid Basix stainless steel Safe Starter bottle (green sleeve) by simply sending an email to abby@littlemiraclesbabyplanning.com with the subject “Safe Starter.”  Winner will be chosen at random; contest ends March 11th at 12 noon est.

Product Review – Ah Goo Baby

Ah Goo Baby makes a multi-purpose Plush Pad for baby.  It’s a changing pad (and an oh-so-soft changing pad it is), mat for tummy time, resting place at the park, or just a great option for a pad to throw in your bag and travel with for all your changing needs.

I have to admit when I first saw the Ah Goo Baby Plush Pad in the store I thought it was a luxury item and not really a necessity for baby.  Now any mother knows that some sort of changing pad is a necessity when you go out with baby, but who knew that it didn’t have to be a piece of flimsy vinyl?  When I received this pad in the mail I instantly thought it was better than I expected.  This pad is PLUSH with a capital P.  It’s made with a thick memory foam, and if you’ve ever been on a mattress made of memory foam you know how luxurious they are.  If I was a baby and mom put me on this thing I would probably request she never go back to changing me on the hard ground again!  You’re certainly spoiling baby with the Plush Pad, but she’s sure to thank you for it.

The Plush Pad rolls up and can easily fit in a diaper bag --  from approximately 2 ft. square when open to approximately 3 inches x 10 inches when rolled.  And unlike the typical vinyl mat, this mat is machine washable!  That just might be my favorite feature because I would love to wash away the germs from where these mats lay!  Here’s what makes the pad so plush:

Its molecular structure also efficiently absorbs shock to help protect your baby’s head and neck when laying  them down for a changing. In short, the Plush Pad® conforms to the curves of your baby’s body, so that they can sit back, relax and enjoy the experience!

The Ah Goo Baby Plush Pad is available online at www.ahgoobaby.com and in retail stores like Buy Buy Baby.  You can check out their website to find other stores and more information.

Secret Filth in Bath Toys

A very informative segment from the Today show this week on the dangers found bath toys.  Toys tested had fecal matter (alarming levels), staph and e. coli bacteria in just about every single toy.  Check out the video for more info.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Britax Roundabout Stands Up to Train

Wow, what a story!!  When I read this I just had to post it because I thought it was an amazing story, and it proves how important it is to not only buy the right car seat but to have it installed correctly.  I’m a big fan of Britax as well.

from www.safemama.com

I had the pleasure of receiving a Britax Roundabout 50 to check out after a heart clutching story broke on the news. An Elm Grove, Wisconsin mother was trapped in front of an oncoming train with her child seated in the back, in a Britax Roundabout. The father, following behind in a separate car rushed to her aide and while they managed to free the mother, the boy was still in the car when struck by the oncoming train. That boy, and his Roundabout 50 were unharmed.

I’ve always been an advocate of car seat safety and the importance of having your seats checked to ensure they are installed properly. But I have to wonder how much of it was the installation, and how much of it was the seat? The Britax Roundabout 50 features Britax’s Side Impact Protection which distributes crash forces, contains the head and body, and shields the child from possible vehicle intrusions during a crash.

It also feature’s their 5 point harness system which secures the child at the strongest parts of the body… much like race car drivers! this is one of their smaller contoured convertible car seats which can accommodate an infant as small as 5 lbs up to 50lbs. Because of the smaller base this seat can fit in most vehicles wonderfully compared to others. I’ve had this problem with some of the other seats we’ve tested in our Honda Pilot, where the base is so big that it creates less leg room for the child and for the driver. The Roundabout 50 eliminates that problem. My son was very comfortable in this seat. And knowing that it helped save a boy from a train impact doesn’t hurt!

Britax has a great reputation and for good reason… they rate well in Consumer Reports and have been proactive with regard to recalls, while continuing to improve the safety of their seats with research. But with any car seat, it’s crucial to have it properly installed or else all those great safety features are useless. Look for your local Child Safety Seat Inspector on SeatCheck.org or at USA.SafeKids.org.

Orbit G2 Baby Travel System Coming in March!

We’ve all seen nearly every new celebrity mama pushing their baby around in an Orbit stroller.  This spring they have launched their second version of their travel system.  Here’s the details (from www.letsgostrolling.com):

Flexibility and time-saving measures are important to today’s parents. With active lifestyles sometimes making us feel like we are caught in a whirlwind, every little moment counts, and we are always thrilled to find a product to help us simplify! The Orbit G2 baby stroller system offers the best car seat and stroller solution for you and your new baby.

Get out there and go strolling with Orbit’s Smart, Simple, and Secure 3-piece starter kit: easily dock the Infant Car Seat into the Base and Stroller from almost any angle, confidently install the Orbit Infant System in your car in less than a minute, and sensibly keep using the Base and Stroller with future Orbit seats when your baby grows bigger. Not only do you get an easy-to-install/use car seat, you get a stroller that is wonderful to push, lightweight, and easy to secure the car seat onto, plus lots of style uncompromised for convenience.

The G2 stroller frame features a revolutionary QuadShock™ suspension and tires made of lightweight and responsive EVA which is also used in the midsoles of performance running shoes, giving your child one of the smoothest rides of any stroller. The custom aerospace grade aluminum frame optimizes strength while keeping it lightweight, and when folded, the Orbit G2 stroller frame can either stand alone or be towed. Unlike many other travel systems which are useless once the baby grows out of the car seat, the Orbit Baby System can grow with your family and is compatible with a toddler car seat and infant-to-todder stroller seat as well.

One of the biggest hassles for parents is moving your child from stroller to car and back again. To eliminate this time-consuming task, the Orbit G2 features a patented SmartHub™ ring allowing you to quickly, easily and ergonomically dock and rotate your infant car seat from any angle. Plus, the StrongArm™ knob on the car seat base allows you to securely attach the infant car seat in just 60 seconds. The Orbit G2 Infant Car seat is eco-friendly and certified healthy and clean by Oeko-Tex®, ensuring the safety of your child in every way. Flexibility, convenience and safety are the hallmark of Orbit products and the G2 should be on the must-have list of every new parent.

General Features and Specifications:

• Includes Infant G2 Car Seat, G2 Stroller Frame, G2 Car Seat Base, detachable sunshade, snack tray, footrest, support bar, and infant insert.
• Infant Car Seat G2 for children 4 lbs. to 22 lbs.
• Infant Car Seat G2: 10 lbs.
• Stroller Frame G2: 16 lbs.
• Stroller Frame handlebar heights: 40-46.5”
• Stroller Frame width (unfolded): 24”
• Stroller Frame folded: 32.5” x 15.5” x 13”
• Infant Car Seat interior width: 8.5” – 12”
• Infant Car Seat interior side depth: 12”
• Includes 2-year limited warranty.
• Available in Ruby / Slate, Black / Slate, and Mocha / Khaki

G2 Stroller Mode Features:

• 360 degree rotation allows your baby to be rear, forward, or even sideways facing so that you can face your baby towards you no matter where you are, or away from the sun.
• Custom aerospace grade aluminum frame optimizes strength and is lightweight.
• QuadShock™ is a patent-pending 4-wheel stroller suspension that gives a plush ride with hassle-free, non-air tires.
• Tires made of lightweight and responsive EVA, also used in the midsoles of performance running shoes: handles bumps and urban obstacles beautifully.
• Telescoping handles accommodate a wide range of parent/caregiver heights.
• Built-in cupholder and key tray.
• G2 stroller frame folds with true one-handed, twist-and-lift motion.
• Stroller frame folds compactly, stands alone when folded, and can be towed when folded.
• Compact car-trunk dimensions when folded.
• G2 stroller frame can be used with all Orbit Baby seats.
• Compatible with Orbit Baby's Stroller Panniers, OrganicFR™ Footmuffs, and Stroller Travel Bag (sold separately).

G2 Infant Car Seat Mode Features:

• Meets or exceeds all U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213) and ASTM (F2050 and F833) safety standards; CPSIA compliant.
• Safe installation is as easy as the turn of a knob – no car seat has ever been simpler or quicker to install safely, uses patent-pending StrongArm technology.
• The only car seat that saves your back with easy docking at any angle into the car.
• Deep-cradle design is fully lined with EPP foam for maximum side-impact protection.
• Aerospace-grade aluminum backbone and chassis giving unparalleled strength.
• SmartHub™ safety ring provides 360-degree security in the car.
• Includes 5-point harness, plush microfiber upholstery, and infant insert.
• Unique ballistic nylon skin handles protects your seat and is padded for exceptionally comfortable carrying.