RECALLS… RECALLS… Read all about it!

August 31st, 2010

Baby Hammocks
Aug. 24, 2010 – About 500 MamaLittleHelper baby hammocks are recalled because the shifting and tilting of the hammock can allow a baby to roll and become trapped or wedged against the side, posing a suffocation hazard. Models 1010, 1020 and BL222 are included in the recall. Stop using the hammocks and visit mamalittlehelper.com for instructions on receiving a repair kit or replacement hammock.

Williams Sonoma / Beaba Bottle Warmers
Aug. 24, 2010 – About 11,000 Beaba Express Steam Bottle Warmers are recalled because they can overheat liquids and foods, posing a burn hazard. Ten incidents of overheating were reported, including one where an adult received a burn from a hot bottle. Beaba Express Steam Bottle Warmers with model number 9602 underneath the warmer are included in the recall. Call Williams-Sonoma at 877-548-0850 for instructions on returning the warmer for a refund.

Zooper Tango Double Strollers
Aug. 19, 2010 – About 3,700 Zooper Tango double strollers are recalled because the frame latches above the front wheels can fail when the stroller hits an object. If the frame latches fail, the stroller can collapse without warning. The company has received almost 200 reports of this type of collapse. Zooper Tango double strollers with model numbers SL808B and SL808F with a production date between Jan. 1, 2007 and Apr. 30, 2008 are included in the recall. The production dates are on warning labels on the seat. Call 888-966-7379 or visit zooper.com to receive a repair kit.

Levana Wireless Video Baby Monitors
Aug. 12, 2010 – About 800 Levana wireless video baby monitors are recalled because wiring in the camera can overheat and emit smoke, posing a burn hazard. Only model number LV-TW300 is included in the recall. This baby monitor has a green and white receiver front and says “Levana” under the screen. Stop using the monitor immediately and return it to the distributor for a refund or replacement with a different model. Include the entire product, your complete name, mailing address and phone number in the package and mail to Circus World Displays Ltd, Attention: Adam Crysler, Dealer Returns Specialist, 60 Industrial Parkway Suite Z64, Cheektowaga, NY 14227.

P. Graham Dunn Rattles
Aug. 11, 2010 – About 500 wooden rattles from P. Graham Dunn are recalled because the wooden dowels can be installed at an angle, which allows the metal rattle to be exposed. This is a choking hazard. Stop using the rattle immediately and call 800-828-5260 or visit pgrahamdunn.com for a full refund.

Fisher-Price Recalls Little People Play ‘n Go Campsite
Aug. 5, 2010 – Fisher Price has recalled 96,000 Little People Play ‘n Go Campsites that were sold in the U.S., and another 14,000 that were sold in Canada, because the plastic Sonya Lee figure in the set can break in half, exposing small parts that are a choking hazard. The name “Sonya Lee” is printed underneath the toy. Only Sonya Lee figures that bend at the waist, have a green sweater and purple camera around the neck are included in this recall. Stop using the toy and call 800-432-5437 or visit service.mattel.com to arrange the exchange of the recalled piece for a new one.

To find more Canadian Baby Item Recalls Visit:

http://babyproducts.about.com/od/recallsandsafety/a/prodrecalls.htm

Ten Tips To Help Your Child Feel At Ease Going Back To School

August 24th, 2010

1. New Classmates Your attitude is everything. Share from your personal experience of making new friends. “A new room of classmates is like going into a mansion with several doors. Open each door and see what’s inside.? You may find a treasure of friend!”

2. New Teachers Try to schedule a brief introduction time with the teacher a few days before school starts. Often just seeing the teacher and the room will ease concerns. Speak positively about the new class and the exciting year ahead. Your enthusiasm will give them positive outlook.

3. Being Prepared Some children worry about having all of the supplies they need to get through the day. Enlist your child in the planning for the first day of school this gives a sense of control and independence. Organize supplies, clothing, lunch money and snacks the night before school to ensure a smoother start to the day.

4. Getting Lost It is extremely comforting for younger students to visit their new school ahead of time in order to see their new classroom, or walk down the school’s hallways before the hustle and bustle of the first day. Many schools provide a day during registration or the week before. Call your school office to make arrangements.

5. The Bathroom You can help by making sure your child knows where the bathrooms are located, how to take care of his/her bathroom needs independently (leave the zippers, snap leotards and more complicated jumpsuits in the drawer). If your child expresses concern about meeting up with new, or older children, help develop and practice brief responses to any comments or inquiries she might encounter. Practicing social situations ahead of time is always a great way to develop confidence and problem-solving skills.

6.Making the Grade Children can “stress-out” about the workload or the increasing level of difficulty of a new grade.  Reminders of academic and or personality strengths are in order here. Let your child know you and the teacher are there to assist and encourage their efforts. Being assured of parental support during successes as well as failures can aid a child’s overall academic performance and develop trust. Stress the importance of excellent efforts instead of grades, and the value of learning as opposed to “performing”. If the fear of failure exists from past performance, provide appropriate support systems: tutoring, extra study time or special placements.

 7. Lunchtime Children come up with cafeteria worries that you never thought of…. How will I pay for my lunch? – Where will I sit? What if I don’t finish…or don’t like the food. First tip- Send in a lunch from home as long as you need to. Be sure to pack food your child likes and in packages he/she can open—  Before the first day of school, ensure that your child’s little hands can tackel chip or cracker bags, juice containers, sandwich boxes etc. Cafeteria Aides may not be able to assist them. – When they are acclimated to their new dining arrangements they may show interest in buying lunch.

8.Fashion Although I hate to admit it….this matters to kids— especially in the older grades.  Before shopping, go through catalogs and magazines to get an idea of what your child wants to wear. Encourage independent style and self expression. Working as a team in this area can be frustrating, but if your child likes their wardrobe—everyone is happier.  And don’t forget to refer to your school dress-code regulations.

9. Scheduling Address concerns about dropping off, picking up and after school plans clearly and repeatedly. Older “latch- key” students should practice the routine before school begins. Middle school students who worry about changing classes, lockers etc. may only need a few reminders that everyone is in the same boat. Most schools have a couple of days for practice.

10. Getting To and From School Have you ridden on a school bus lately??? It can be overwhelming to say the least!?? The noise, “big-kids” and confusion combine to make riding the bus a very common fear for younger students. Especially very young students, who cannot even see out the window to ensure they are at the right stop. There are several solutions to this dilemma: 

-First decide how important it is for your child to take the bus. Many students get a ride until second grade.

- Drive the route several times before school starts. – Obtain the bus number from your district office before school starts. Practice this number ahead of time.

- Invite the neighbors to have a picnic at the bus-stop.

- Listen to your child….if they are frightened, address the problem with the bus-driver and supervisor.

Found on:

http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/bts.top10.htm

Helping make bath time fun!

August 17th, 2010

Not all babies like baths; some love them and some babies don’t. Mums and Dads can find bath times a bit nerve wracking too, but both parents and babies usually learn to love them. New babies have spent quite some time cocooned snuggly in their mother’s womb. A bath means being unwrapped with limbs free to kick, move and fling. For some babies, to begin with, this is scary, they startle and cry and unnerve their new parents. So here is a recipe for enjoying bath time.

 Keep the pace slow and be patient: Invest in a baby bath. They are portable, so you can use them in any room, especially a room you can easily warm up. Some parents opt to use the floor, because it feels safest, but then you will need to take care to avoid straining your back. It is probably better to pick a level that is the most comfortable for you.

Get everything you need for the bath: you cannot leave a baby unattended for even a few seconds to fetch something you forgot. Undress your baby on a towel on your lap. Talk soothingly as you go. Test the water with your elbow. It should be warm. Wrap your little one firmly, tuck him under your arm and wash his hair by gently wetting with a gauze face flannel. Dry his hair carefully while still wrapped warmly in the towel. Keep her close to you. Let her look at the water and see you play in it first with your hand. Unwrap your baby and lower her into the water. Hold her with both hands first then when your baby has relaxed, you can hold her with just one hand. Babies respond to our calmness and rhythm. They like gentleness and they like confidence. They like having your face close to theirs – 30 cm’s apart is ideal. Keep it enjoyable Play music to keep a pleasant atmosphere and speak to your baby warmly to reassure him everything is okay.

Bathing with your baby can be a good way to introduce your little one to bathtime. Some parents find that it is soothing for a new baby and provides the closeness and skin contact they need. As baby adjusts – she can begin to have a bath on their own. Keep bathtime short but not rushed. If your baby only lasts a couple of minutes – that is fine. Take him out and dry him in a nice warm towel. Keep at it Babies learn to be confident by being part of a predictable routine. Don’t give up the bathing routine, even when your baby is not so sure she likes the bath. As babies develop, they begin to like to feel the water and use their legs and arms to splash. They like your facial expressions of delight and surprise. They love your sing-song voice and your actual singing.

 Bath time for toddlers: Use the same recipe to keep bathtime a treasured routine for your emerging toddler A rubber mat A bath surface can be very slippery so ensure that you always place a rubber non-slip mat in the bath before your toddler gets in.

A Shrek bath A few drops of green food colouring in the bath is all you need to add some fun to bath time. Do a demonstration first if your child is on the nervy side. Some drops added to a bowl of water – and let them watch then mix! Add art brushes to the fun – every toddler loves to wield a brush around. Kitchen cupboard utensils There are wonderful containers within your kitchen cupboard that make great pourers and scoops. Your toddler will not tire from pouring, scooping, emptying, filling and repeating this exercise. Add a sieve, a funnel, a sponge and plastic spoons for stirring.

Special toys: A ‘wow’ toy may be worth the investment when you have a toddler who is struggling with bath time. A visit to your favourite plastic shop to purchase a spray bottle may do the trick. Fill it up with water and let the fascination of operating it distract them. Many young children drop their caution when they are focused on something so intriguing. Visual delights Toddlers love to paste animals and shapes around the bath. These are inexpensive and very appealing. Bubbles This has got to be one of the most enjoyable ways of getting clean. Your toddler will be fascinated with bubbles and this is often the highlight of bath time.

Bath time with Mum or Dad included! This is such a treat and should be enjoyed by your ‘aquaphobe’ as well as your water lover. A nervous infant loves the security of resting close to you and it is easy to distract them with some gentle water play. Your water lover will be keen to show you all the games they know and will thrive on this one-on-one time with you.

Getting out time – take out the protest! Offer a simple choice to an infant who doesn’t like to get out of the bath. It goes something like this “Are you going to pull the plug out or shall I? Or “Are you going to climb out on your own or shall I lift you?” A timer can also signal the end to a bath session and for some magical reason – most young children readily accept that the timer has gone off – so bath time is over! Maybe that’s because it is hard to argue with a timer.

http://www.earthlings.co.nz/articles/bathtime.php

Tips for saving money when organizing a Baby shower.

August 16th, 2010

Let’s celebrate the mother-to-be and her baby by gathering her close friends and family to show their support. You can have a beautiful baby shower celebration without breaking the bank but keep in mind the more people you have the more it will cost so keep it small and quaint.  Read on to help keep your baby shower on budget. 

Ask for help. A baby shower shouldn’t place a financial burden on the hostess. Recruit a friend or two to co-host the shower with you to keep everyone’s costs down.

Location. Host the shower in your home. If space is a concern, ask a friend with a larger home to provide the venue.

Eat off plates. Consider using your own ceramic/glassware and silverware. 

Bake the cake! You don’t need to be a professional baker to bake a cake. For simple yet elegant, you can also make cupcakes. A nice cupcake sprinkled with colored sugar is very attractive. You can even arrange these in decorative format, like spelling out the word baby in cupcakes as a center piece.  Go to the library and look at a cake decorating book for some simple ideas.

Gifts for Party Games.  What are dollar stores for? Grab some body lotions, soaps, chocolates, frames or scented candles and wrap in tissue paper then finish off with some raffia.

Invitations.  You can really save on money and time on this one. Use a service like Evite to send electronic invite to your guests who have email. Save big on postage and time it would take to hand write your invites. If someone doesn’t have email, hand deliver them a nice note.

Eat sweets! I don’t know very many women how wouldn’t enjoy this. Consider having something between lunch and dinner – like afternoon tea.  Make baby size sweets and have different types of coffee, teas and flavours of water with added slices of lemons, oranges, lime, cucumber inside.

Pregnancy Facts and Myths…

August 10th, 2010

Some intersting Facts and Myths found on Dr.Phils website!

1. Pregnant women crave pickles and ice cream. False. Not all women crave pickles and ice cream, but food cravings such as these are based in fact. In general, food cravings can be very helpful in telling you what your body needs. Explanation: Women who crave pickles are really craving salt and may be mineral deficient, and specifically sodium deficient. Additional minerals are particularly important in pregnancy when women’s bodies increase blood volume by up to 20 percent, so the existing minerals are diluted. Many women crave junk foods such as ice cream during pregnancy because junk food is associated with comfort. Sugars found in sweet foods, as well as in breads, pasta and rice cause the body to produce serotonin, which makes women feel good.

2. Pregnant women who carry low = boy, or pregnancy acne = girl. False. How a woman carries depends on her body type and whether she has been pregnant before, but does not reflect gender. Pregnancy acne is unrelated to gender. Explanation: Women tend to carry lower or higher depending on their body type. Taller, thinner women appear to carry higher. Shorter and fuller women appear to carry lower. Neither has any correlation to gender. Also, in a second pregnancy, since abdominal muscles may be looser, the pregnancy may appear to be lower. Pregnancy acne has nothing to do with gender; it is a result of natural hormonal changes.

 3. Pregnant women must eat for two; they must gain 25 pounds. False. North Americans already eat for two prior to pregnancy! Explanation: Thirty years ago, the average size of babies was 6 pounds. Today the average size is 8 pounds. There are many reasons for this, but one reason is over-eating, particularly unfavorable carbohydrates (breads, pastas, rice), and not getting enough vegetables, protein and healthy fats. As long as a pregnant woman eats properly — and as long as her doctor is not concerned — there is no set formula for how much she must gain. Generally, in the last trimester, the baby gains half a pound a week. So, as a general rule, if, during this time, the pregnant woman is not gaining a bit more than that, her doctor may be concerned and her diet should be re-evaluated.

 4. Pregnant women shouldn’t take baths. False. Pregnant women shouldn’t take HOT baths. Explanation: Women are told not to take baths because HOT water — over 98 degrees — is unfavorable to the pregnancy. Taking a warm (NOT HOT!) bath with someone to help you get in and out of the bath safely can help: Decrease uncomfortable swelling in arms and legs. Increase the amniotic fluid. Prevent premature contractions. Help the mother relax and alleviate anxiety about the health of her baby. This is also why swimming is such a great pregnancy exercise.

 5. Pregnant women shouldn’t eat fish. False. Although women are told not to eat fish due to mercury levels and fears of food poisoning, (a) women can choose fresh fish with low mercury levels and (b) fish oil has many benefits to the baby. After all, women in Japan don’t stop eating sushi! Explanation: Mercury and food poisoning are significant concerns. Women are individuals and every pregnancy is unique. Small white fish have lower mercury levels because they have been living in the ocean for a shorter period of time. Get fresh fish and smell it. A woman’s sense of smell is heightened during pregnancy for a reason — the pregnant woman’s body is helping her determine what is healthy for her baby. Moreover, fish oil contains helpful Omega 3 fats, which actually enhance the development of the baby’s brain, improve the baby’s IQ, make the baby a better sleeper after birth, prevent premature contractions and premature labor, prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy, and act as an anti-inflammatory that prevent infection. If a pregnant woman is uncomfortable eating fish, she can visit her local health food store for fish oil supplements.

6. Pregnant women shouldn’t change cat litter. True. Due to a virus in cat feces called Toxoplasmosis. Explanation: This virus can be very harmful to the pregnancy. But recognize that contact with kitty litter is not limited to changing the cat litter box. Since a cat walks on its litter, the virus can be tracked anywhere a cat walks, including its paws. Due to this, all contact with the cat must be limited and the house must be kept extra clean. Also, because much of our produce is grown outdoors where cats and other animals come in contact with it — even if it’s organic — recognize that this virus may be present on fruits and vegetables.

7. Pregnant women shouldn’t dye their hair. False. Sort of. Pregnant women should avoid anything chemicalized — from food to hair dye. Explanation: Just like with the foods they eat, pregnant women should try to expose their bodies to as few artificial products as possible. Hair dyes are no exception. Of course, that means redheads can use natural hennas.

8. Pregnant women should not carry heavy items. True. Nothing more than 25 pounds. Explanation: The pregnant body is already burdened by additional weight, which throws off a woman’s balance and makes her more likely to fall. This and other things that cause a diminished sense of balance in pregnant women should be avoided, as a fall after the first trimester may be devastating to the pregnancy — always requiring immediate medical attention.

 9. All pregnant women have morning sickness. False. Women and their pregnancy hormone levels are individual. Explanation: The feeling of morning sickness is often caused by a rise in the female hormone estrogen during pregnancy. If the pregnant woman’s body already produced a high level of estrogen prior to her pregnancy, additional estrogen may cause morning sickness in the first trimester — or not. It really depends on the individual.

10. Pregnant women shouldn’t drink alcohol. True. Alcohol is ‘feto-toxic,’ which means it is poisonous to the growing baby. Explanation: Just one drink a day can create a noticeable problem in the pregnancy. If someone told you that one pill of a certain drug is damaging to your baby, would you take half that pill or even one quarter?

11. Men cannot REALLY be a part of the pregnancy. False. Making your life partner into your pregnancy partner can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your pregnancy. Explanation: Pregnancy can be the most wonderful opportunity to bring a couple together as a solid team. When men are given the means to assist, pregnancy can make the relationship between that man and his pregnant partner exceptionally strong — strength a couple will need when baby arrives!

Article found at www.dr.phil.com

Rainy Day Fun!

August 10th, 2010

Encouraging our children to entertain themselves is not always an easy task. Television and video games are a common solution, but are not necessarily, in the best interest of the child.

 A few examples may be to have some things readily availbe so you aren’t pondering all day on the day

examples: an art kit, junior cook book,
a box of buttons, a book of riddles, or a pile of kids magazines.

If you train your childs brain to learn something new, instead of the TV or television games then it might just get them to pick up a book, or craft without being prompted by Mom or Dad.

The Idea Box
Begin your new “Boredom Cure” with a tissue or shoe box. Which of course, has been decorated by your little one. When you come across an idea that strikes your fancy, write it on a slip of paper and place it in the box. Send them running to the idea box when they say they are bored.  It’s best to select activities that can be accomplished independently.

Reverse Writing 
Challenge your older child, with a pencil and paper!  Can they write a sentence backwards, without looking in the mirror. Sounds easy enough for the letters O, A, and M, but what about J, F, and R ? Can they write you a secret message ?

Look at Me!
Have your child observe you for a minute. Leave the room .Return to the room, having changed a small detail in your appearance. Remove an earring, put on some lipstick or change your hair. Can they guess?
There are so many other simple thigns to do like Bake, paint, eye spy, or simone says!
Use your imagination! Have some fun indoors!

Baby Item Recalls!

August 5th, 2010

Playard Tents
July 15, 2010 – About 20,000 Cozy Indoor Outdoor Portable Playard Tents are recalled because the clips that attach the tent to the top of the playard can break or be removed by a child. The child can then lift the tent and become entrapped between the tent and the playard, posing a strangulation hazard. One child death is associated with this recall. Call 800-626-0339 to order replacement clips.

Pacifiers
July 20, 2010 – More than 40,000 Kariño baby pacifiers are recalled because they don’t meet federal safety standards. The pacifier nipple can detach from the base, posing a choking hazard. In addition, the handle is too long, the mouth guard is too small, and there aren’t ventilation holes in the mouth guard. These pacifiers were sold in grocery stores in California and Texas, for about 25 cents each. “Kariño” is printed on the handle side of the pacifier. Stop using the pacifiers immediately and call 619-395-4543 for refund or exchange.

Nap Nanny Baby Recliners
July 26, 2010 – About 30,000 Nap Nanny baby recliners following a report that a 4-month-old baby died in a Nap Nanny that was being used inside a crib. The baby was found hanging over the edge of the Nap Nanny, and was caught between the Nap Nanny and the crib bumper. Though the instructions say not to use the product in a crib, CPSC has another report where a child received a cut on the forehead after becoming trapped between the Nap Nanny and the side of the crib. More than 20 other babies are reported to have fallen over the side of the Nap Nanny, even when harnessed in. If the product is used inside of a crib or play yard or on a high surface, babies can be injured if they fall out or become trapped. If you have a first-generation Nap Nanny with no D-rings under the cover, call 888-240-4282 to receive an $80 credit with free shipping. If your product does have D-rings, stop using it until you can visit the company’s website and download new instructions and warnings.

Compliments of:

http://babyproducts.about.com/od/recallsandsafety/a/prodrecalls.htm

10 ways to say “I’m pregnant!”

July 28th, 2010

One of the happiest moments in a couples life is discovering that their pregnant. Sharing this wonderful news with family and friends is another important moment.  How should we announce our news? How will they react?   Here is a list of 10 unique ways to tell your loved ones your expecting. 

1. Decide you want a family picture while everyone is there. Once everyone is together, have your husband be the one to take the picture and say to everyone “Ok everyone, say Anna’s pregnant!” instead of “cheese.”

2. You could get some bibs, wrap them up and have them say something about “Grandma” “Grandpa” “Cousin” ETC and have them open it.

3. Maybe give them a baby photo frame with a note inside it saying “insert your grandchild’s photo here on *due date*”

4. Give each family member a “just saying hi” card from the baby with a copy of the sonogram in it. Address the cards to “aunt”, “uncle”, “grandma”, “grandpa”, etc.

5. If you have a dog that runs to greet people who come to the door, invite family over for a visit and dress your dog in a doggie t-shirt that “Susan’s pregnant”.

6. Have your older child wear a shirt that says “I’m going to be a big sister (or brother)” 

7. If your husband doesn’t know yet you could decorate the house with balloons and streamers with a sign that says “Welcome home DADDY!” 

8. Take a picture of yourself and your husband looking at a bun in the oven! – Send it out to your family in the mail or email.

9. If it’s close to a holiday or special occasion like Christmas, Easter, birthday’s, Father’s or Mother’s Day, you can buy a card that says “Merry Christmas to the best Grandparents in the Universe”, or Happy Birthday Grandma…etc..

10. Have a BabyView 3D/4D ultrasound and have your family over to watch the DVD movie.

Amazing Pregnancy Facts.

July 28th, 2010

The world’s first test tube twins are Stephen and Amanda Mays born June 5, 1981.

Some people drink the urine of pregnant women to build up their immune system.

The first known contraceptive was crocodile dung, used by Egyptians in 2000 B.C.

Every day, over 1,300 babies are born prematurely in the USA.

During pregnancy, the average woman’s uterus expands up to five hundred times its normal size.

Changing a cat’s litter box can be dangerous to pregnant women, as cat feces sometimes carry a parasite that can cause harm to the developing baby.

A pregnant woman’s dental health can affect her unborn child.

May babies are on avearge 200 grams heavier than babies born in other months.

When a woman is pregnant, her senses are all heightened.

Studies show that couples that smoke during the time of conception have a higher chance of having a girl compared to couples that do not smoke.

Article; http://www.funshun.com/amazing-facts/pregnancy-human-body-facts.html

Toddler Teeth Brushing 101!

July 27th, 2010

Brushing teeth. Toddlers need a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-fluoridated toothpaste; it is unsafe to swallow fouride, this way incase they do swallow it, it wont harm them.

Children often want to brush their teeth on their own, this is a great practice, but be sure to always brush after them, to make sure they got all the nook’s and crannys!

 First visit to the dentist.

It is recomended that you should schedule the first dentist visit shortly after your child’s first birthday. Don’t expect a full examination. This visit is more to educate both you and your child about future visits by showing the equipment and introducing staff. 

 During the visit, the dentist is also likely to outline a few bad habits you might be unknowingly guilty of, such as putting your little one to bed with a bottle of milk or juice, or having her suck on a sippy cup all day long. “That’s like sipping a can of pop all day — you’ll get more dental disease that way than if you drank the whole can at once,” says Dr. Kowolik. The problem: the milk or juice is constantly bathing the teeth in sugary fluids. Instead, save those drinks for meals only, and let your child drink water in between and when she’s going to bed

For more on Teeth News in children in all ages visit

http://health.kaboose.com/kids-health/dental-toddlers.html

Article from http://health.kaboose.com/kids-health/dental-toddlers.html