Recall Alert: Baby Hammocks Recalled by MamaLittleHelper Due to Suffocation Hazard

from CPSC




WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Infant and Toddler Hammocks

Units: About 500

Manufacturer: MamaLittleHelper LLC, of Frisco, Texas

Hazard: The side-to-side shifting or tilting of the hammock can cause the infant to roll and become entrapped or wedged against the hammock's fabric and/or mattress pad, resulting in a suffocation hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of the hammock becoming unbalanced, including one report of a two-month old who rolled to the side corner of the hammock and was found crying face down. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall includes MamaLittleHelper Hammocks with model numbers 1010, 1020 and BL222. They have a steel frame and a fabric hammock with a mattress which are connected by a large spring, safety rope and a metal hanger. Model BL222 has a computerized rocker device. "MamaLittleHelper" is printed on a label sewn onto the hammock models 1010 and 1020. Model BL222 does not have a label.

Sold exclusively: Online at www.mamalittlehelper.com from May 2008 through February 2010 for between $100 and $230.

Manufactured in: Malaysia

Remedy: Parents and caregivers should immediately stop using the hammocks and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Contact MamaLittleHelper to receive a free repair kit for hammock models 1010 and 1020. Consumers who own model BL222 should return the hammock to MamaLittleHelper in exchange for a new hammock. There is no repair available for model BL222. Repair kits can also be ordered online at www.mamalittlehelper.com/recall.htm

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact MamaLittleHelper toll-free at (866) 612-9986 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, visit the firm's website www.mamalittlehelper.com/recall.htm or email the firm at recall@mamalittlehelper.com

Recall Alert: Williams-Sonoma Recalls Baby Bottle Warmers Due to Burn Hazard

from CPSC



WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Beaba Express Steam Bottle Warmers

Units: About 11,000

Importer: Williams-Sonoma Inc., of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: The bottle warmers can overheat liquids and baby food, posing a burn hazard to adults and babies.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 10 reports of the bottles overheating, including one report of an adult who received a finger burn from touching a hot bottle.

Description: This recall involves the Beaba Express Steam Bottle Warmer which uses steam to heat baby bottles or baby food. The bottle warmer is green with an orange temperature dial. "Beaba" is printed on the base and model number 9602 is printed on the underside of the warmer.

Sold at: Williams-Sonoma stores nationwide, online at www.williams-sonoma.com and through Williams-Sonoma catalogs from June 2010 through July 2010 for about $65.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bottle warmers and call Williams-Sonoma for instructions on how to return the product for a full refund. Additionally, consumers who return the bottle warmers will receive a $25 Williams-Sonoma merchandise card.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Williams-Sonoma toll-free at (877) 548-0850 between 4 a.m. and 9 p.m. PT seven days a week or visit the firm's website at www.williams-sonoma.com

Add diet soda to the list of things to avoid while pregnant

from LA Times

There are so many things you're not supposed to eat or drink when you're pregnant -- sushi, Caesar salad, blue cheese, lox, coffee and, of course, alcohol. Now researchers have added a new item to that list -- diet soda.

It seems that regular consumption of carbonated beverages made with artificial sweeteners significantly increases the risk of preterm delivery (defined as giving birth after fewer than 37 weeks of pregnancy). Women who drank at least one diet soda per day were 38% more likely to have their baby early compared to women who abstained. For women who drank at least four diet sodas each day, the increased risk was 78%, according to a study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

These risks were calculated based on data from 59,334 pregnancies that were tracked in Denmark between 1996 and 2002. Women in the study were asked to complete a food frequency questionnaire about halfway through their pregnancies. The timing of their births was recorded in the Danish Civil Registration System.

About one out of every eight babies is born preterm, according to the March of Dimes. "Babies who are born preterm are at higher risk of needing hospitalization, having long-term health problems and of dying than babies born at the right time," according to the group's website.

The researchers found no link between consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and risk of preterm delivery, suggesting that some component of artificial sweeteners is to blame. Noncarbonated diet drinks also weren't associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, probably because those drinks contained much lower levels of artificial sweeteners (only about one-half to one-third as much aspartame and acesulfame-K as in carbonated diet drinks, according to the study).

For the sake of comparison, using the same dataset the researchers calculated that women who smoked every day were 21% more likely than nonsmokers to deliver their babies early.

-- Karen Kaplan

ThredUP: Free Children’s Clothing Swap Online

So have you heard of ThredUP?  Clothes don’t grow, but kids do.  ThredUP lets you save money on children’s clothing by swapping with a network of parents across the country.   You pack up your clothing in a box and then you pick out a box of clothing online that you want to receive.  Sounds simple?  All you pay is the $13 per box shipping fee.

Simply navigate the gently worn clothing listings on their website the way you would on eBay, iTunes or Amazon.com. Sort by gender, size, brand, season and type of item. Find baby clothing, toddler clothing, or pre-teen clothing. Find a box you like, pay for shipping and it's yours!

As we all try to do more to Reuse and Recycle our belongings, ThredUP sounds like a great way to get rid of outgrown clothing without buying new stuff.

Of course I’m very curious to know if anyone has tried it, because I haven’t.  Are people getting rid of cute clothes or only the no-so-cute stuff?  Send me an email if you’ve tried ThredUP, I’d love to hear your experience!  abby@littlemiraclesbabyplanning.com

10 Tips for the Natural Parent-to-Be

By mjb - December 9, 2009 (www.seventhgeneration.com)

1. Naturally healthy babies come from naturally healthy mamas! Take good care of yourself.

2. Newborns don't need a lot of gadgets. Get the basics and add as your baby grows.

3. Breastfeeding can be a lot harder than you'd think. Not all babies, nor all moms, are "naturals." It often takes work, and in some cases, doesn't work at all. So don't beat yourself up if it just isn't happening.

4. If you do breastfeed, don't worry about working in some feedings of bottled formula. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposition, especially if you'd like a little time to yourself. You can also pump and freeze breast milk.

5. Feed your baby veggies, and he or she will grow up to be a good veggie eater.

6. Trust your instincts.

7. Stick to your guns! Lots of people will tell you that natural doesn't matter.

8. Instead of off-the-shelf teething gels, find a local aromatherapy shop to create a blend of essential oils for baby's sore gums.

9. Make your own baby food and freeze it in ice cube trays.

10. You don't have to be Super Mom. Let your husband, your parents, and your friends take care of you.

What is Baby Sign Language?

from Nature Mom Blog




Baby sign language is American Sign Language, only cuter. And there’s often some drool thrown in for effect.
Seriously though, American Sign Language is the official language of the deaf community in the United States. You probably learned the American Sign Alphabet at some point in school.

The baby version of American Sign started in the 70’s when Joseph Garcia observed that the hearing babies of deaf parents learned to talk at an earlier age than the hearing babies of hearing parents. This intrigued Garcia, and prompted him to start a program that trained hearing parents to teach their babies sign language.
And Garcia’s original observation held true. Babies who learned to sign learned to speak at an earlier age than those who didn’t learn to sign. But that wasn’t all. Many other, unexpected benefits popped up. Babies and toddlers who signed showed less frustration, seemed to enjoy closer bonds with their parents, developed larger vocabularies early on, and even learned to read faster and more easily than their non-signing peers. I know, crazy right?

And it’s so simple! It is easy to teach your baby to sign. You don’t have to be fluent in American Sign Language. You can take it one sign at a time (or two, or three)!

A baby’s cognitive development is always ahead of his speech development. Many babies show proof of understanding what we say long before they are able to speak. Baby sign language can bridge this developmental gap. Signing with your baby will help her to communicate her thoughts long before she is able to verbalize them.

Many parents and caregivers choose to only teach a few signs, and that is fine! Some parents teach their babies to sign “diaper,” “down,” “eat,” and “milk” and stop there!

Imagine how much easier it would be if every time your baby wanted to nurse, she simply signed “milk.” She could sign before she cried. Wouldn’t that be great?

And many parents and caregivers teach their babies dozens of signs, so your baby could actually sign, “More applesauce please!”

Speaking of which, baby sign language is a great way to teach manners early. The signs for “please” and “thank you” are very easy to teach, and just as easy for your baby to learn.

A popular misconception is that babies who learn to sign will have no need for speaking, but this just isn’t the case. Study after study has shown the opposite to be true. Baby sign language encourages a baby to communicate, and fosters the skills and builds the confidence that he needs to do so.

It is easy to teach your baby sign language. The signs are all available for you at Baby Sign Language. If you are even thinking about it, you should give it a whirl. Your baby will thank you. She might even do it with a sign.

Guest post by Misty Weaver, Chief Editor, Baby Sign Language

Top 5 Baby Safety Tips

from Healthy Baby Happy Home

1. Do a neighborhood Search for Sexual Predators. If someone is convicted they must be registered and you can find this out at www.familywatchdog.us/. If you find any suspected sexual predators, be extra careful.

2. Smoking Rule of Thumb: If you smoke, quit! If you can’t quit, smoke outside, away from the baby. Second-hand smoke can cause a number of childhood illnesses or make them worse. These include asthma, ear infections and sinus infections.

3. Watch out for Lead. If your house was built before 1978 have it tested. If you are buying a house built before 1978 have it tested. The following are websites recommended for lead testing:

• www.leadlisting.org
• Leadtesttoys.com test toys for lead
• Leadcheck.com test heavy metals for lead
• Leadlisting.org leads testing professional search
• Healthhometest.com test water at home for lead
• EPA Labs www.epa.gov/lead

4. Use natural pesticide. Speak with your Pest Control Company and be very cautious about using pesticides in the baby’s room. See recommended websites for natural pesticides:

• www.panna.org
• www.beyondpesticides.org/infoservices/pcos/findapco.htm
• www.ecosmartprofessional.com
• pesticideswatch.org
• Battlethosebugs.com for safe pest control made from limestone
• biconet.com for Bio Control Network Alternative Pest control products
• Bugsrdone.com for natural pest control made from orange peel extract

5. Use low VOC carpet or no carpet. There are more than 25 different types of low and no-VOC carpets available at general home stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot, as well as at specialty flooring stores. Also, consider other flooring options, such as bamboo, linoleum, and tile. See shawgreenedge.com for available low VOC carpets.