Tushbaby

Pregnancy and Diabetes

2009-03-12T19:41:00.005-04:00

Parenting.com has some good information about having diabetes and getting pregnant. Check out the details at the CNN website.

Millions of women with diabetes have gone through healthy pregnancies and delivered healthy babies. There's no reason why you shouldn't also -- providing you take some precautions.

1. Get your diabetes under good control
2. Eat the right carbs
3. Stay away from the wrong carbs
4. Have smaller, more frequent meals
5. Eat more protein
6. Fill up with fiber
7. Change your oils
8. Control your weight

Classic Baby Names

2009-03-06T21:34:00.005-05:00

Some of the best names I've heard! There are lots of baby name sites out there - just remember that baby will live with it for his/her entire life...... please, don't name your precious new baby Norbert - ...although Bert's pretty cute! (He'll not be happy)

Aidan

Lilly

Oscar

Jack

Ruby

Chloe

Millie

Oliver

Grace

Alex

Archie

Noah

Charlie

Emily

Matilda

Ava

Erin

Olivia

Kate (my favorite!)

Adorable Diaper Cakes

2008-08-28T16:14:00.000-04:00

More great submissions to Martha Stewart's Baby Shower Idea page.

I love the block letter and the green rubber ducky on top here. Very chic and gender neutral without being too pastel.

Classic, simple diaper cake with great choice of ribbon.

Again, the block letter here is a great touch.

The ribbon could be done better, but I love that they included a book and other great items in this cake.

Baby Shower Food Ideas

2008-08-28T13:04:00.001-04:00

Martha Stewart is running some sort of competition for baby shower ideas. Deadline for photo submissions is Jan 1, 2009. The pool of photos has some great ideas already. Here are some great food ones.

Cake Baby Blocks

Adorable jungle themed cookies:

Watermelon Fruit Basket- made to look like baby carriage!

Make your own favor- paper cones to be filled with mom-to-be's favorite candies. Very clever!

Rickets Makes a Comeback

2008-08-26T12:28:00.000-04:00

A NYTimes article out yesterday reports cases of rickets showing up in infants and toddlers recently. While rickets is a common childhood disease in many developing countries [1], in the US it is not often heard of.

Rickets is defined as a softening of the bones in adolescence. This can lead to fractures and deformities such as bow-legs and wrist widening. However it is easily preventable with proper nutrition- specifically vitamin D.

And here enters the recent problem- doctors are suggesting that infants aren't getting enough vitamin D, even with proper diet. Dr. Catherine M. Gordon, director of the bone health program at Children’s Hospital Boston, says

"I completely support breast-feeding, and I think breast milk is the perfect food, and the healthiest way to nourish an infant... However, we’re finding so many mothers are vitamin D deficient themselves that the milk is therefore deficient, so many babies can’t keep their levels up. They may start their lives vitamin D deficient, and then all they’re getting is vitamin D deficient breast milk."

Dr. Frank Greer, chairman of the committee on nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics, adds that, “Historically speaking, we probably got it from the sun, but now we’re afraid of the sun and we don’t go out as much.”

While rickets is still rare in the US, the number of cases has been cropping up in recent years. Talk to your pediatrician about possibly adding supplements over the wintertime when sun exposure is down and make sure when breast feeding that you are getting adequate amounts of vitamin D yourself.

Ikea Finds!

2008-08-12T13:14:00.000-04:00

IKEA- that wonderous place with reasonably priced cute furnishings for every room of the house. Here are some of their new stuff for kids rooms.

Hanging wall organizer for $9.99

Adorable black and white sheets to match any room $19.99

Cute rugs for $34.99

New Fabler series features all kinds of plush toys from 2.99-9.99

National S'more Day!

2008-08-11T14:12:00.000-04:00

Yes, according to some (Holiday Insights, About.com, wikipedia) August 11th is National S'more Day. The only real trivia associated with s'mores is that they were first mentioned in the Girl Scout Handbook in 1927, claimed to be inspired by Loretta Scott Crew's campfire treats. I suppose the rest is history, since these tasty treats are so unanimously popular.

Grab some graham crackers, marshmallows and Hershey's bars and teach your kids some S'more trivia tonight.

(Tip for city folk- the microwave works just as well as a campfire. Place the chocolate on and nuke for 15 seconds, then add the marshmallow and go for a few seconds longer. Watch carefully! The once marshmallow swells to great size its done.)

Summer Mocktails

2008-08-08T14:23:00.000-04:00

It's summer. It's hot. It's Friday and you would like drink. What's a pregnant girl to do? While you may have friends and family who tell you "It's perfectly ok to have just one", the verdict is still out. The Center for Disease Control still insists on the following:

* There is no known amount of alcohol that is safe to drink while pregnant. All drinks with alcohol can hurt an unborn baby. A 12-ounce can of beer has as much alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine or a 1-ounce shot of liquor.

* There is no safe time to drink during pregnancy. Alcohol can harm a baby at any time during pregnancy. It can cause problems in the early weeks of pregnancy, before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

* About 1 in 12 pregnant women in the United States reports alcohol use. And about 1 in 30 pregnant women in the United States reports binge drinking (having five or more drinks at one time).

*FASDs are 100% preventable. FASDs are 100% preventable. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are 100% preventable—if a woman does not drink alcohol while she is pregnant.

Meanwhile, there are a slew of those who argue that drinking during pregnancy is perfectly safe. Check out this article for several sources.

If you can't decide or choose to abstain there are several good recipes for some tasty mock-cocktails you can have instead.

Temperance Tantrum - 3 oz. cranberry juice, 2 oz. orange juice, squeeze of lemon, ginger ale. Blend the juices with ice until smooth, then top up with the ginger ale.

Acapulco Gold- 2 shots freshly pressed pineapple juice, 1 shot freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, 1 shot coconut milk, 1 shot fresh cream. Shake all of the ingredients together with ice and then strain into a cocktail glass to serve.

Tornado Twist- 12 fluid ounces cranberry-raspberry juice, 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage. In a pitcher, mix cranberry-raspberry juice with lemon-lime soda. Pour over ice and serve.

Raining Men- Put 1/2 glass of ice, 4 oz. orange juice, 4 strawberries, 1 banana into a blender.
Blend until smooth. Garnish with fresh fruit as appropriate.

Coconut Cooler- 4 parts coconut milk, 4 parts fresh lime juice, Sparkling water, Sprig of mint. Combine the coconut milk and lime juice in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Pour over ice cubes into a Collins glass. Top up with sparkling water and stir gently, garnish wth the mint sprig.

More recipes here and here and finally here.

Great Kids Style Blogs

2008-08-02T13:48:00.000-04:00

I love finding new blogs that show how parenting can be the opposite of what many 20-somethings fear. It's not the end of style, fun, or social lives. It doesn't make you boring. It can be fantastic and pretty darn cute at the same time. Here are some blogs that I have recently discovered that help me prove my point.

Apartment Therapy's ohdeedoh
Tagline: Home. Design. Children.
What to check out: Their nursery tours. Tons of real nurseries in a variety of spaces and styles.

KidsHaus
Tagline: Blending kids + Design
What to check out: They've got tons of great kid friendly art work and crafts. Pictures are worth a million words here.

tutus and turtles
Tagline: A frilly-to-functional collection of all things baby and child
What to check out: This site is always giving great stuff away. I don't know how they do it!

Cookie Magazine's Nesting
Tagline: Exchange home design ideas with our editors and one another
What to check out: Everything. These guys are great.

Sew Your Own Sling

2008-07-31T12:49:00.000-04:00

So many sling companies now have fantastic patterns and fabrics out as oppose to the standard black or solids, but they aren't always cheap ($260 for a silk sling?) and often with patterns it is hard to find one that you know will fit your wardrobe and personality. Making a sling yourself seems easy enough, but how do you know your sling will be safe?

Enter Sling Rings! These nylon and aluminum rings have been put through a battery of tests to insure their stability (Impact Testing, Pull Testing, Soaked in bleach and then a full washer/dryer cycle, along with Heating and Freezing). They are sure to hold the load of your baby or toddler and last through years of wear.

Instructions on Basic Sling, Reversible Slings, Fleece Slings, and the fabulous No-Sew method.

example of a ring sling:

Post Baby Workout Extremes?

2008-07-29T16:10:00.000-04:00

It's almost impossible to ignore the obsession with pregnant celebrities and celeb moms with young children- but has it pushed them too far? Not only are baby's first pictures being sold for millions but it certain that the paparazzi wants a picture of these ladies post-baby bods. It seems that the pressure to loose the baby weight instantly is sky-rocketing.

Jennifer Lopez, who just had twins, is apparently training for a triathlon.

Katie Holmes reportedly lost two dress sizes in less than two months by working with Sue Fleming, creator of the Buff Brides Fitness program. She then ran a marathon when baby Suri was just 18 months old.

Kate Hudson gained 60 pounds when she was pregnant with son Ryder, she was back to her normal size in under three months. With trainer Joe Horrigan she worked out two to three hours a day, six to seven days a week- while eating a mere 1,500 calorie daily diet.

Heidi Klum was under contract to lose her post-pregnancy weight in just one month! Victoria Secret wanted her back on the runway or she would loose her $25 million deal. Talk about pressure! Klum turned to trainer David Kirsch, and 90 minutes of exercise every day while eating only "Lean, clean, and green. No dairy, lots of greens, grains, egg whites, and protein shakes,".

Congress Agree to Regulate Phthalates in Toys

2008-07-29T14:56:00.000-04:00

House and Senate lawmakers agreed yesterday to permanently ban three types of phthalates from children's toys. They will also outlaw three other phthalates from products after studying their effects in children and pregnant women.

If passed, the ban would take effect in six months- that is unless President Bush vetos it. Many have said that the President opposes the ban, but it is still to early to know what he will decide. Many companies are opposing the ban, arguing that the research against phthalate exposure is not strong enough. The biggest opposition to the ban is Exxon Mobil. They manufacturers diisononyl phthalate which is the most commonly used phthalate in children's toys.

It certainly would not be the first ban of its kind however. The EU and more than a dozen other countries have banned phthalates from children's products as early as 1999. Even major US retailers Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, and Babies R Us that said will no longer carry products containing the phthalates as of Jan. 1, 2009.

Healthy Cool Treats

2008-07-22T14:01:00.000-04:00

Sure Basket Robbins, Dairy Queen and Coldstone all sound fantastic, but realistically going out for ice cream as often as we'd like is practical- for the waistline or the wallet. Here are some great at home frozen treats that are almost guilt-free.

Diana's Bananas- Chocolate covered frozen bananas you can pick up at the grocery store! So tasty, mostly fruit and only 6 grams of fat.

Island Way Sorbet- Cute and healthy! The natural half shells of Pineapples, Lemons, Coconuts, Apples and Oranges have been cored out and filled with great natural fruit flavored frozen Sorbet. Great for when you are having guests over too.

Napoli Boys Italian Ice- Perfect solution for people with food allergies. They don't contain artificial ingredients, glutens and other additives. They even have a chocolate flavor for you chocaholics, and you can indulge knowing that it is fat free, cholesterol free and dairy free.

Bad News About Nuts During Pregnancy

2008-07-15T13:11:00.000-04:00

A new study just published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine suggests that pregnant women who eat nuts or nut products like peanut butter daily during pregnancy increase their children's risk of developing asthma by more than 50 percent over women who rarely or never consume nut products during pregnancy.

Don't worry just yet. Research in the area of allergenic foods during pregnancy has been contradictory and inconclusive. The main thought behind it being that the allergens present in foods like nuts cross the placenta and cause fetuses that are exposed to become sensitized to certain allergens.

John E. Heffner, M.D., past president of the American Thoracic Society made a statement in response to the research, "These findings emphasize the critical important of additional investigations into the environmental exposures for both mother and child that underlie the pathogenesis of asthma... It is important, however, to emphasize that such associations do not confirm a causative linkage."

For more information:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/114901.php
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7505682.stm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25687224/

More Green Diaper Options

2008-07-10T12:56:00.000-04:00

For those of you that are looking for better options in the diapering department, you will be happy to hear that more and more progress is being made.

In the disposable-but-still-less-impact department we have:

New 7th Generation Chlorine Free Newborn Diapers:
Our redesigned diapers are now thinner (and just as absorbent), with stretchier leg gathers and closure tabs " and they're made in the U.S. That means less waste and less resource use " with the same great performance and chlorine free commitment. Check below for new sizes and package counts. The chlorine-free materials and absorbent polymers used in our diapers help keep your baby dry in between changes and through the night. In addition to being effective at keeping baby dry and reducing the risk of diaper rash, studies show that our absorbent polymer is non-toxic and non-irritating to baby's sensitive skin.

Classy Kid Keep Me Tidy Biodegradable Diaper Sacks
For disposing of your 7th generation diapers, try Classy Kid Diaper Sacks. Made of biodegradable plastic, they break down much faster than those grocery store bags or regular trash bags. They have fresh scent which helps control orders and cuts down on air-borne disease transmission.

For those of you that are interested in cloth diapers or already CD-ing, new options in removal of the tough stuff without resorting to a sprayer:

Kushies Flushable-Biodegradable Diaper Liners

Simply tear off one of these absorbent perforated sheets and place it flat in your baby's clean diaper. When the diaper is soiled, just toss the liner into the toilet. No dunking, no swishing - you may even be able to re-use the same diaper with a new liner. Cloth diapers will stay nice and white, and cleanups couldn't be easier.

Nursery or Kid's Room Decals

2008-07-03T15:10:00.000-04:00

Decals are huge lately. You can get them in almost any design. While previously the ones I saw most often were real modern, you can now get some great kid's designs.

Go to town with these trucks:

Got a jungle theme going on? These might help!

Pick a simple silhouette in a variety of colors from dVider:

Cute and simple colorful caterpillar:

Love Super Mario as a kid? Yours can too enjoy the original Mario Brothers:

Eating On the Go

2008-06-20T13:40:00.000-04:00

Summer is a fantastic time for picnics and eating outdoors. With summer camps you may also have more lunches and snacks to be packing too. Here are some recent fun finds for food on the go:

Cereal-on-the-Go- How clever is this thing?! Freeze the bottom half of our Cereal-on-the-Go container before you leave home to keep milk cool. Cereal stays dry and fresh in the top compartment until it's time to eat.

Snack & Dip- These brightly colored containers are just too cute. It's an all-in-one container for storing carrots, celery, apples and other treats, along with your favorite dip. Microwave re-heatable and top rack dishwasher safe.

Beetle Spoon & Spork- whimsical and reusable spoons and sporks. The wings unfold to form a handle. Each comes in its own compact travel case

Great Finds

2008-06-18T13:31:00.000-04:00

The Container Store is a fabulous place if you happen to have one nearby (otherwise it is all online). They have organizational stuff for every corner of the house- including cute stuff for kids. Here are some cute/clever things I've seen recently:

A cuter way to hang up coats and backpacks:

Deep Game Savers™ Box-

A sturdy way to keep Monopoly and other games together- will fit the playing board and pieces without getting ripped, squished or damaged.

ELFA system well utilized in kids room's:

Restoration Hardware Baby is Here...

2008-06-14T22:23:00.000-04:00

Restoration Hardware announced earlier this year that they'd be adding a baby line this summer, and it is now here. The verdict? I'm not as impressed as I could have been. Their cribs and furniture are basically the same as the Pottery Barn Kids selection but instead of ranging from $499- $999 they range from $799- $999.

Their color palette is rather narrow- if you look at their selection it appears that everything is pastel pink or pastel blue with brown or white accents. Bedding, window treatments, lamps- all the same few colors! Occasionally you see pastel green and khaki thrown into the mix, but overall not very creative. Dwell's baby bedding is much more colorful and interesting- even IKEA has interesting colorful bedding- and it's nowhere near as pricey.

Hospitals Drop the Ball on Breastfeeding

2008-06-13T10:29:00.000-04:00

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released it's findings yesterday in the first national report to include breastfeeding practices in hospitals. The results had some surprising statistics. The CDC found that one in four medical centers gave healthy newborns formula or supplements even when their mothers were willing and able to breast-feed.

They looked at 2,700 birth facilities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico and rated them based on labor and delivery, breastfeeding assistance, mother-newborn contact, postpartum feeding, breastfeeding support after hospital discharge, nurse/birth attendant breastfeeding training and education, and structural and organizational quality.

Western and New England states performed the best. Vermont and New Hampshire tied for the highest scores, followed by Maine and Oregon. The lowest scores were seen in 7 southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and West Virginia.

What to do if you are looking to breastfeed your infant:
- Ask beforehand if lactation consultants are available at the hospital you plan on delivering at
- Let your doctor and the nurses on call know that you want to breastfeed and ask that they not give your child any formula or supplements
- If lactation consultants aren't available at the hospital, try La Leche League staff or a doula
- Look for breastfeeding classes in the area to take before birth
- Remember that breastfeeding isn't easy off the bat and may take some time and practice. Be patient, stay motivated and get the help you need.

June: National Safety Month

2008-06-12T12:43:00.000-04:00

It's National Safety Month this month, and the National Safety Council is focusing on four "most significant reasons for unintentional injuries and deaths in the American workplace, on the road and in the home and community".

This week the focus is on safe driving; here are some facts to remind you of the dangers of driving while distracted:

- Nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involved some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event

- 81 percent of drivers admit to making calls from behind the wheel, making it the most common distraction

- Even when using a hand-held or hands-free device, the distraction caused by cell phone use is similar to that associated with driving while legally drunk - with a blood alcohol content of .08

Keep your kids safe by properly installing car seats and using seat belts and drive safe this summer!

What Happened to My Cartoons?

2008-06-11T14:19:00.000-04:00

Sure somethings need updating, but I'm not sure about all the updates some older cartoons are getting. Check out the new Strawberry Shortcake:

She was so cute and innocent before! Apparently, she wasn't popular with today's young audience. Now prefers fresh fruit to gumdrops- ok that's an improvement. Now apparently she wears just a dab of lipstick- again, a reasonable improvement. Now she spends her time chatting on a cellphone instead of brushing her calico cat- what?! Why a cell phone? How old is Strawberry Shortcake? Not old enough to chatting away on a cell phone certainly. What's wrong with playing with cats? Kids grow up too fast these days anyways, no need to push them along by having their cartoons involved in seemingly grown-up activities.

Salmonella Tomato Warning

2008-06-10T11:00:00.000-04:00

Careful all you pregnant moms when ordering your hamburger/veggieburgers. Salmonella is not something you want to get while pregnant.

From WebMD:
The CDC reports that at least 167 people in 17 states have been infected with Salmonella Saintpaul, the salmonella strain involved in the current outbreak.

Those 17 states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The FDA says it's fine to keep eating the following types of tomatoes from any source: cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and homegrown tomatoes.
Because of the salmonella outbreak, the FDA advises consumers not to eat raw red Roma, raw red plum, and raw red round tomatoes, or products containing those types of tomatoes.

Kids Say The Funniest Things...

2008-06-08T21:31:00.000-04:00

OverHeardInNewYork.com is an entertaining blog that consists of submissions from people all over NYC. While most of the submissions are tidbits of conversations had between adults, occasionally you get some good pieces of conversation had between parents and children or children talking to each other. Here is a small sampling for your entertainment:

Adult friend: Your mommy just had a baby! How is Jack doing? Does he have a lot of bottles?
Little girl: No, just boobies.
--Economy Candy, Lower East Side

Little boy: That's not art!
Mom: Shhh... some people think so.
Little boy: Nope, not art.
--Whitney Museum, 5th floor

Kid #1: Paper beats rock. BAM! Your rock is blowed up!
Kid #2: "Bam" doesn't blow up, "bam" makes it spicy. Now I got a SPICY ROCK! You can't defeat that!
--6 Train

Dry Drowning in the News

2008-06-06T13:38:00.000-04:00

Many of you may have heard of the dry drowning case in South Carolina. A 10-year-old died more than an hour after he had gone swimming. So what do parents need to know when it comes to dry drowning?

What it is:
Dry drowning occurs after removal from water when there is a small amount of water still present in the lungs. This can cause result in laryngospasms reflex- a spasm of the vocal cords. Laryngospasms can then cause asphyxiation, leading to an inadequate supply of oxygen in the blood, cardiac arrest, and eventually death.

When it occurs:
Usually within an hour to 24 hours of swimming.

Are some children more likely to dry drown?
Yes. Dry drowning is more likely of child is not a good swimmer or a first-time swimmer and if the child has underlying lung problems like asthma.

What should parents look for?
After swimming, if the child has swallowed a lot of water or had an accident at the pool, keep an eye out for these signs:
- persistent coughing or pain in chest
- difficulty breathing
- extreme tiredness
- changes in behavior
If a child coughs for a minute, then calms down -- that is much different than if the child keeps coughing or complaining of pain.

What do I do if I suspect dry drowning?
Call your doctor or bring the child to an emergency room if there are any signs of dry drowning following a swimming incident. If it is caught early, dry drowning can be treated by inserting a breathing tube and having oxygen supplied under pressure to the lungs.

Water safety is a big topic in summer months. According to the CDC, 4,000 people drown each year and 1,400 of these are children. Always watch kids at all times when in the water and enjoy your time safely!

Facebook for Babies?

2008-06-05T14:59:00.000-04:00

TotSpot.com is a new site that recently launched, while some describe it as a "social networking" site, I think it's more like an online baby book or Facebook. It was built with parents and security in mind and reassures users that all photos and information are protected and safe. Your child's page is invite-only accessable and parents can see who has been looking at their site any given week. You can decide how much or how little you want to post, and also who can see it.

So what's the main advantage? It's a single place to post pictures and videos, plus there are special features to keep track of growing kids. There are growth trackers, milestone lists, and children's favorites (ie. Suzie's currently in love with Elmo). No more sending out an email to 15 people with the latest pictures, post once and let them check at their leisure.

Happy Anniversary TushBabuy

2008-06-03T15:19:00.000-04:00

www.tushbaby.com is celebrating it's one year anniversary! To mark that special occasion, everyone who shops at TushBaby is entered into a weekly drawing. This week's prize is an Urban Smalls Onesie. So thanks for reading and good luck!

Recall: Mommy’s Bliss Nipple Cream

2008-05-28T11:03:00.000-04:00

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to consumers not to use or purchase Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream, marketed by MOM Enterprises, Inc. The problem is that while the label states that there is no need for mothers to remove the cream prior to nursing, the ingredients contained in the product may be harmful to infants.

Potentially harmful ingredients in Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream are chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol. Chlorphenesin relaxes skeletal muscle and can depress the central nervous system and cause respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing) in infants. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that is primarily used in cosmetics and medications. It also can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration in infants. Chlorphenesin can also harm the mother by causing dermatitis, a skin condition that can worsen the drying and cracking of nipple skin.

Mothers and caregivers should watch for a decrease in an infant's appetite. More serious signs would be difficulty in awakening the child, limpness of extremities or a decrease in an infant's strength of grip and a change in skin color. Please seek immediate medical attention if your child is showing these signs and symptoms.

The FDA asks consumers to report any adverse events related to this product or any FDA approved product to MedWatch, the agency's voluntary reporting program, by e-mail at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm, or by phone at 800-332-1088.

Genuis! Sun Sensor Stickers

2008-05-24T19:21:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day weekend is here, and in my book it is the official start of the summer season. Pools open and people really start enjoying the outdoors. Today I discovered something that will definitely help with one of summer's pesky problems- the looming possibility of sunburns.

Check out Huggies Little Swimmers Suncare Sun Sensors!

Huggies Little Swimmers UV sensors are self-adhesive and water-resistant. Apply to your child's skin, hat or clothing. Sensor will first change to light orange with moderate exposure and the sun designs will slightly fade. When the sensors change to deep orange and when the sun designs disappear, it is time to reapply sunscreen, dispose of sensor and/or limit exposure.

It seems like a much better way of determining when to reapply sunscreen, and if anything, it can serve as a visual reminder to do so, whether you wait until the sticker changes completely or not.

Cane Sugar for Infants?

2008-05-18T21:19:00.001-04:00

Similac Organic formula has captured 36 percent of the organic formula market since being on the market since 2007, but did you know that doctors are not fans? It turns out that Similac's Organic formula is sweetened with cane suga r- a much sweeter sugar than used in most formulas.

Babies need sugar in order to digest the proteins that are present in soy and or cow's milk, so adding the sugar is not the issue. The type of sugar is for some people. Other organic formulas use organic lactose, which extracted from organic milk. The problems seen with cane sugar is that it tends can damage tooth enamel faster and may cause babies to resist foods that aren't as sweet in comparison and possibly also cause babies to gain too much weight in their first year.

The other possible negative consequence of cane sugar (sucrose) is that consuming sucrose generates future cravings for sucrose- while consuming sugar such as fructose or glucose, do not have the same long-term effect.

Craft Time!

2008-05-13T11:00:00.000-04:00

Approaching summertime for some reason reminds me of arts and crafts. Maybe its all those camp activies, maybe its being outside more having flowers to press and warm weather to tie-dye outside. Whatever the reason, here are some great ideas for summer projects for you, not just the kids.

Easy-Sew hooded towel

Turn an old skirt into a children's cape

Reusable sandwhich wrap!

Handy and cute Crayon Roll

Adorable fabric growth chart from Martha

Plastics Guide Part II

2008-05-09T19:16:00.000-04:00

Here is a great list of some everyday food storage containers and baby products to avoid.

#3 Gerber Clear and Soft Baby Bottle Nipples
#3 Evenflo Soft Bite Spoon
#3 Reynolds Wrap

#7 Avent Baby Bottles
#7 Avent Soft Spout Training Cups
#7 Evenflo Baby Bottles (clear, untinted)
#7 Gerber Baby Bottles (clear only)
#7 Gerber Looney Toons spill-proof cups
#7 Gerber Suzy’s Zoo spill-proof cups
#7 Playtex Cherub, Juice and Trainer Cups
#7 Playtex Baby Bottles
#7 Sassy MAM 3-Step Baby Bottles
#7 The First Years Baby Bottles
#7 The First Years Peek-a-Boo Cups
#7 Tuppercare Baby Bottles
#7 Rubbermaid Clear Classics container bases*
#7 Tupperware Rock N’ Serve containers
#7 Tupperware Meals-in-Minutes Microsteamer base

Plastics Guide Part I

2008-05-08T18:53:00.000-04:00

It seems like a vast majority of products made for infants and toddlers are made from plastic. How are parents to know which ones are safe and which ones should be avoided? We've been using Nalgenes for years only to recently find out that it may not be the smartest idea. Here's a good list to get you started:

#1 PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)
Generally found in soft drink bottles, medicine containers. Bottom line: because this plastic which is not usually designed for re-use and very commonly recycled it is not ideal for extended use. Overuse will increase risk of leaching, and their design lends itself to harboring of bacterial growth. Recycle after its intended use.

#2 HDPE (high density polyethylene)
Used in toys and bottles for milk, water, detergent, shampoo, juice and thankfully safe for use and re-use.

#3 PPVC or UPVC (polyvinyl chloride –plasticized and un-plasticized)
Found in shampoo & detergent bottles, pipe & tubing, meat wrap, blood bags. Found in some clear food packaging, it is the second most commonly used plastic in the world. Unfortunately it often contains lead, and toxic plasticizers such as phthalates that can migrate into food, water, air and our mouths. Avoid when possible!

#4 LDPE (low density polyethylene)
This soft, flexible plastic is used in garbage bags, wrapping films, grocery bags and is safe for use. Of course, plastic bags pose a suffocation risk for small children, so while the material is chemically safe, the bags should not be left for small children to play with.

#5 PP (polypropylene)
Hard, but flexible. Used in ice-cream & yogurt containers, potato crisp bags, drinking straws, syrup bottles, diapers. Considered safe for use.

#6 PS or UPS (polystyrene and expanded polystyrene)
Rigid, brittle plastic often used in coffee cups, take-out food containers, meat trays, and plastic cutlery. Polystyrene may leach styrene, which is considered a possible human carcinogen, and may disrupt hormones or affect reproduction. Avoid when possible.

#7 Other (including polycarbonate, nylon and acrylic)
Many of these 'other' plastics are suspected of leaching chemicals disrupting hormone functions. Avoid if possible. 95% of all baby bottles are currently made of polycarbonate. Switch to polycarbonate-free baby bottles, like those manufactured from #5 PP, or consider using glass bottles or metal containers when old enough.

As a general tips for reducing toxic plastic exposure- store your food and water in glass or stainless steel if possible. When you do need wrap- choose non-PVC cling wrap (such as Glad and handiWrap).

For more information try nontoxiclife.com, and thegreenguide.com.

Breastmilk good, Iron Supplements bad?

2008-05-06T16:40:00.001-04:00

In headlines this week we learn something that many of us already knew- breastmilk boosts intelligence, and something that we have not known: iron Supplements might harm infants who already get enough.

The breastmilk study, while not the first of its kind, claims to be "the most blatant evidence to date that prolonged and exclusive breast-feeding makes children more intelligent,". The study came out of Canada's McGill Univeristy and is the largest study ever conducted on a random sample- looking at 14,000 children over six and a half years.

The studies author notes that they can't guaruntee its the breastmilk itself, as oppose to the physical nature of breastfeeding, "As for me, I prefer to think that the physical or emotional contact between the mother and the child is what counts, because it takes more time to nurse a baby than to offer him a bottle of milk".

Meanwhile, at the University of Michigan, researchers found that extra iron for infants who don't need it might delay development. This has a huge impact on those who use formula with extra iron added. The study looked at nearly 500 infants. Those that were adversely affected by the extra iron scored 11 points lower in IQ and 12 points lower in visual-motor integration, as well as lower on spatial memory and other visual-motor measures.

BabyLegs for Earth Day

2008-04-17T17:08:00.000-04:00

BabyLegs is donating 10% of their sales from April 1st- 22nd to The Nature Conservancy in support of the Costa Rican rain forest.

BabyLegs is a company dedicated to local and global aid, and recognizes Earth Day as an opportunity to give back to Mother Nature. We pride ourselves in our organic line as we strive to become a sustainable business. Visit www.babylegs.net for more information.

Another Voice for Postpartum Depression

2008-04-17T09:32:00.000-04:00

In May’s Vogue, Gwyneth Paltrow speaks about having postpartum depression after the birth of her son Moses. I applaud her and Brook Shields, who also spoke and wrote about her postpartum depression experience. It is a very common ailment and something that is not to be ashamed of.

From Vogue:
“I didn’t know I had it until after it was over,” the actress, 35, says. “I just didn’t know what was wrong with me.” She suspects her depression stemmed from scaling back on her usual pre-baby treatments like acupuncture. “I felt really out of my body,” Paltrow says after giving birth. “I felt really disconnected. I felt really down … I felt pessimistic.”

For more information on PPD, check out BabyCenter's page, Health and Human Services' Women's Health page, and NIH's MedLinePlus page.

Bad Message Overall...

2008-04-16T14:45:00.000-04:00

My attention was recently drawn to a book titled My Beautiful Mommy. The synopsis:

"My Beautiful Mommy” is aimed at kids ages four to seven and features a plastic surgeon named Dr. Michael and a girl whose mother gets a tummy tuck, a nose job and breast implants. Before her surgery the mom explains that she is getting a smaller tummy: “You see, as I got older, my body stretched and I couldn’t fit into my clothes anymore. Dr. Michael is going to help fix that and make me feel better.” Mom comes home looking like a slightly bruised Barbie doll with demure bandages on her nose and around her waist.

The book doesn’t explain exactly why the mother is redoing her nose post-pregnancy. Nonetheless, Mom reassures her little girl that the new nose won’t just look “different, my dear—prettier!”

, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Bal Harbour, Fla. says he got the idea for the book after seeing his patients bring their small children with them to appointments. "Parents generally tend to go into this denial thing. They just try to ignore the kids' questions completely." He is concerned that children "fill in the blanks in their imagination" and worry when they see "mommy with bandages".

So what is the message here?
1. don't worry kids Mom will be fine after her operation- ok, that's fair, but unfortunately you can not separate it from point number two.
2. Mom wasn't happy with her appearance and felt she needed to change it. Women need to look pretty.

I guess since we can't stop people from feeling they need to surgically enhance themselves, we can't condone a book that is just trying to ease the inevitable questions that follow...?

Reveiw: Mott's Tots

2008-04-15T16:17:00.000-04:00

Mott's has introduced a new line of juice boxes and juices that are getting great reveiws. Instead of lugging around a sippy cup, juice and water and diluting the 100% juice yourself- Motts has done it for you. You and your doctor knows they don't need all that straight juice- this juice box has 40% less sugar than regular 100% juice boxes. No artifical additives to boot!

Mott's for Tots is a great-tasting juice drink that has 40% less sugar than regular apple juice and no artificial sweeteners. We've blended delicious juice with purified water and 100% vitamin C in a variety of flavors, conveniently packaged in single-serve juice boxes, nine to a pack. We've even added 64-oz multi-serve bottles to our product mix. Mott's for Tots contains 100% juice mixed with purified water, making it easier than ever to make a healthy choice for your kids – and it's pediatrician approved.

National Poetry Month

2008-04-14T16:17:00.000-04:00

April has been National Poetry Month since 1996. The American Academy of Poets hopes to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry. So do something fun with the kiddies today and have them write a poem.

A very simple one to do is a Haiku, it does have to rhyme and it is rather short. They all follow a simple pattern- 3 lines, the first is 5 syllables, the second line is 7 and the last line is 5.

Or check out these books:

Sing A Song Of Popcorn- this book even I read as a child and is fantastic.

The Random House Book of Poetry for Children includes many great classics from, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Shel Silverstein.

The Kingfisher Book of Children's Poetry a wide variety from ballads, limericks, riddles, and to the widely popular nonsense verse.

Got Milk Worries? Just Drink It

2008-04-13T11:22:00.000-04:00

Wal-mart announced recently that it would be adding milk that comes exclusively from cows free of artificial growth hormones. This sparked a big debate.

The argument against:
- Some believe that it causes early sexual maturity in girls, though the scientific research here is not necessarily clear.

The argument to keep on trucking:
- Americans routinely don't get enough in their diet and drinking any brand is more important than drinking a specific kind
- Milk is still the top dietary source of calcium, which we all need all day. You can only adsorb 500 mcg at a time, so getting it all at once doesn't help as much as spreading it out through the day.
- All milk has vitamin D, which helps you absorb calcium and it is one of the few places you can easily find vitamin D.

What can you do?
- Drink skim! The hormones in milk reside mostly in the milk fat, drinking skim would greatly reduce the amount of exposure

Hush Little Baby, Get Your Rest!

2008-04-07T16:37:00.000-04:00

A new study out finds a connection between quantity of infant sleep and likelihood of being obese at age three. While many studies have confirmed the link of lack of sleep and lbs gained in adults, this is the first study to link the two in infants.

The study came out today in The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Researchers report that infants who got less than 12 hours of sleep had a doubled increase of being obese at age three, and the effect was even stronger in infants who watched two or more hours of television daily. The researches took into account birth weight, the mother’s age and body mass, breast feeding duration and other variables.

So what can you do? Many experts agree on the following:
1. No TV in the bedroom
2. Establish a good nighttime routine (bottle, book, bed)
3. Have a consistent schedule and bedtime
4. White noise such as a fan, humidifier may help

Remember that babies sleep habits are determined more by individual temperment and you can' t always get them to sleep when and as long as you'd like. Technically 'sleeping through the night' is 5 hours of continuous sleep, so if they are getting naps, they can easily reach the 12 hour mark.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month

2008-04-03T15:46:00.000-04:00

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The first federal child protection legislation was passed 34 year ago in the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, and has been updated several times since, but children out there still need help and protection.

Four children die each day in the US from child abuse. If you worry about a child you know don't hesitate to call.

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD®, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about Childhelp call 480-922-8212 or visit www.childhelp.org.

Celebabies

2008-04-01T13:07:00.001-04:00

Keri Russell has got to be one of the cutest Hollywood moms. Here she walking from the farmer's market with her reusable bag and her son River in a sling.

Style note: favorite sling found here, favorite reusable bag found here.

EPA Ruling on Lead Paint

2008-04-01T11:15:00.000-04:00

The EPA announced a new ruling that will take effect April 2010 that will require contractors to take special precaution when renovating homes built before 1978, child-care facilities and schools occupied by children under 6 or pregnant women.

James Gulliford, the EPA's assistant administrator for prevention said, "Our goal is to eliminate childhood lead poisoning as a major health concern by the year 2010".

But lead paint is found in more than an estimated 38 million homes and is not easy to deal with- the dust that is made from removing the paint is a major concern and when removing paint off the outside of the house, lead getting into the soil is another issue that must be handled very carefully. To properly deal with this tedious messy task, builders, painters, electricians and others will have to be trained and certified in lead abatement procedures.

Contractors will be prohibited from using sandblasters, torches or other power tools that stir up lead dust. Warning signs to keep residents out of the area until all dust and debris is cleaned up will also be required.

If you have lead paint in your own home consider removing it before you have children. If you are going to remove it yourself, read up on ways to reduce your own exposure. Try to avoid sanding at all costs and always always wear a mask.

The IR paint stripper is a wonderful tool to use in removing lead paint. It heats up and the paint softens and can easily be scrapped off without producing dust and without the use of chemical strippers. The solid lead paint chips are easily swept up and can be disposed of properly. Also look for HEPA vacuums for when you are cleaning any areas that could be affected with lead dust.

Check out The Silent Paint Remover.com for the IR paint stripper and attachments as well as HEPA vacuums, organic paint and organic cleaning products.

Spring Promos!

2008-03-26T17:07:00.000-04:00

The fantastic Mabel's Labels which I have mentioned before are celebrating their 5th anniversary this month. Orders placed between 12:00am and 11:59pm EDT on Thursday March 27th will be shipped with a coupon for free Sticky Labels, our original product that started it all.

Also all B*Glam Baby ('The cutting edge in cute') items are now sale at Tushbaby.com. %30-40% off- get them while they last!

BabyGap Home Line!

2008-03-25T15:07:00.000-04:00

First DwellBaby opens at Target, then Restoration Hardware adds a line, now... BabyGap is adding a home line. What will it be?

"...a premium collection of our favorite bedding, car seats, strollers and more. We're working with the world's most trusted brands to give you the best in quality, safety and style"

Well that's interesting, they aren't coming out with their own stuff? If they already do clothing, you would think at least that bedding wouldn't be a far leap for them. It sounds as if they are just going to retail other brands though. You may have to wait to see what's in store though because it also appears that they are only adding this line to stores in the California, New York/Jersey, Texas and Chicago areas. We'll keep you updated if we hear anything else!

Painting the Nursery: Part II

2008-03-21T15:59:00.000-04:00

Once you've got an idea of theme and color for your nursery, the next step seems simple- go buy the paint! But paint can continue to give off harmful fumes even after it dries, it can harbor bacteria and be a pain to clean. So what paint is healthiest, greenest, most durable, most affordable? Well, you have lots of options:

Ceramic Paint- Low VOC, high durability and in some cases of this product comes with antimicrobial protection. Round ceramic beads in the paint pack closer together, and create a strong finish that is not very permeable- to dirt, bacteria, etc. Hence why the pain is able to withstand scrubbing while also preventing mold, mildew and bacteria from growing. Try: Ceramic Coat by O'Leary Paint, or Green Planet Paints Interior Clay paint.

Soy Based Paint & Finishes- To avoid using a petroleum base some companies are using soy and coming out with some great low VOC products. For interior painting try DuraSoy One paint, easy to clean, no need for primer and meets Green Building LEED requirements. If you are looking to seal natural wood (for a crib, rocker, changing table, deck, swing set...) use SoyGuard- non-toxic, low VOC, mildew resistant sealer. It lacks harmful chemicals such as biocides, pesticides, fungicides, or mildewcides that are often found in other wood treatments. Plus it's made in the US with American grown soybeans.

Milk Paint- Milk paint, also known as casein paint, is derived from milk and is a fast-drying, water-soluble paint has been in use for hundreds of years. Try the Real Milk Paint Company who uses all organic materials- powdered purified casein, lime and pigments. Milk paint is a little tricky though, you should use it right away once it is mixed and it does best on raw wood or unsealed walls or wall board. If you want to paint over an already painted room you will need to add UltraBond and clean and scuff the surface before applying the paint. Anna Sova also has a great pallet of casein based paints.

Others- BioSheild Paints is a great company that has a wide range of safe paints from clay and milk based to solvent-free paint and KinderPaint- a zero VOC, solvent free paint.

American Pride- Green Seal Certified and Green Building LEED compliant. This paint runs with the best of them, easy clean up, fast drying and they claim virtually unlimited color match capability with any major paint manufacturer palette.

A last note: according to Scientific American Magazine a crawling baby inhales the equivalent of four cigarettes a day as a result of out-gassing fumes. But with the above mentioned paints you can avoid all of that. So pick a color and paint without worry!

Toy Recall

2008-03-19T13:46:00.000-04:00

It seems like we had a nice quiet time where the recalls seemed to be a thing of the past. MEGA Brands America Inc. of Livingston, N.J. recalled about 2.4 million of its magnetic toys Monday. Magnets in the toys may come out, posing a choking risk. If children swallow more than one magnet, the magnets can attract each other and tear or block the digestive system.

The voluntary recall includes following:

1.3 million MagnaMan magnetic action figures
1.1 million Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. preschool magnetic toys

For the complete list go to www.megabrands.com/en/customerservice/recallinfo/index.php

For further assistance MEGA Brands can be reached by phone at 800-779-7122 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST M-F.

Painting the Nursery: Part I

2008-03-17T13:50:00.001-04:00

When choosing paint for a nursery there are lots of things to consider, the gender of the baby (if known), durability of the paint, healthiness of the paint, overall style, will it match all the stuff you registered for... the list goes on.

Babies can't see very far when they are born but unless you want to repaint the nursery often, you may want to think about what affect colors have on the mood of a 18-month old.

Warm colors are known to excite; cools colors to calm.

Red- stimulates, arouses, heightens awareness, stimulates appetite, usually considered too stimulating for bedrooms

Orange- cheers, orders, evokes excitement, enthusiasm and is an energetic color

Yellow- recharges, energies, revitalizes, some report that too bright a yellow may cause anxiety in infants and children

Green- stabilizes, balances, calming effect of green makes it popular in hospitals, schools, considered the most restful color for the eye

Blue- relaxes, calms, transfixes, brings down blood pressure and slows respiration and heart rate

Purple- protects and comforts

Look up too! Freshome reminds us that , "The ceiling represents one-sixth of the space in a room, but too often it gets nothing more than a coat of white paint. In fact, for decades, white has been considered not only the safest but also the best choice for ceilings. As a general rule, ceilings that are lighter than the walls feel higher, while those that are darker feel lower. Lower need not mean claustrophobic: Visually lowered ceilings can evoke cozy intimacy."

Excited to start thinking of colors now? Try Behr's online paint visualizer tool.

Asthma in Children and Spring Cleaning

2008-03-14T13:14:00.000-04:00

A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal reports a link between wheezing and asthma in young children, and their mothers' use of cleaning products such as bleach and air freshener during pregnancy.

The study looked at 14,541 pregnant women and a large variety of lifestyle habits, including the use of household cleaners. Mothers that used bleach, air fresheners and other products during pregnancy and just after birth increased the risk of their child developing persistent wheezing by the age of seven by up to 41%. Authors have taken into account some other factors that lead to asthma such as heredity, environmental factors, animal allergies, pollen, dust mites and acknowledge that this study is only preliminary and more research needs to be done.

A study in New Scientist in 1999 reported that 'in homes where aerosol sprays and air fresheners were used frequently, mothers experienced 25 percent more headaches and were 19 percent more likely to suffer from depression, and infants under six months of age had 30 percent more ear infections and 22 percent higher incidence of diarrhea'.

For for your spring cleaning this year, try these alternatives:

Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates and that are labeled "antibacterial"- soap by nature is antibacterial and doesn't needed anything added!
Lemon - one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.
Borax - (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
Kosher Salt and Water- If you need a tougher abrasive on sinks and cast iron pans, sprinkle on kosher salt, and scrub with a wet cloth or sponge.

Resources: EarthEasy.com, Consumers Reports' Eco-labels website, Grist.com, TheDailyGreen.com's DIY Toxin-Free Cleaning Guide

Vaccines In the News

2008-03-10T10:30:00.000-04:00

Rueters reports that a vaccine is on the way for strep throat. A research team at the University of California, San Diego, has altered the bacteria that causes strep throat and rheumatic fever to make it safe to use as a vaccine.

Meanwhile, the debate on whether vaccines can cause Autism is still quite a buzz. For the latest on the case in Georgia click here.

Who Said Girls Can't Sail?

2008-03-05T15:45:00.000-05:00

A new twist on a classic nursery theme... pink and nautical... all at the same time. Why is it that all the sailboat, ocean, whale themes are all for boys? Well, the ocean is blue for starters so that makes it easier, but tons of people- including females- also love the ocean and boats. So if you are one of those who wants a nautical, but not "beachy" theme this post is for you! Remember that some blue is ok, and with careful thought you'll be able to get a great room with an clear message.

What is more nautical than seersucker? Check out this cute crib bedding:

For wall art, get creative, you can paint a pink nautical star or lighthouse:

Small pieces around the room like this personalized sailboat are great:

For a sturdy diaper bag, try LLBean's Boat and Tote bag:

You can even get an adorable hooded towel set with a pink sailboat:

And baby shower invites:

A Healthy Green Easter Basket

2008-03-05T13:12:00.000-05:00

Stores have had Easter candy out the since the day after Valentines day. But Easter doesn't have to be about marshmellow Peeps, Cadbury Cream eggs and plastic grass. Try these alternatives to make your baskets healthier for you kids and for the environment.

1. Replace some candy with books and other small gift items. A tiny stuffed animal, small puzzle or bubble solution can be just as fun as something sweet and it will last much longer. Silly Putty is already sold in an egg shape! Crayons and an Easter themed coloring book also are cheap and easy.

2. If you are going to do a plastic egg hunt, fill half the eggs with candy and the other half with money. Kids love collecting coins. Put a quarter or a few dimes in a egg and they will be over joyed. Keep the eggs and reuse them next year!

3. Line your basket with real grass (weather permitting) or green felt cut to look like leaves and grass. Green glass decorating beads- the kind that go in decorative vases found at any craft store, would also be a nice way to line your basket. One you have a nice woven basket- save it for next year!

4. Use natural dyes instead of store bought ones, better for the environment and you get a wider range of color options. Boil your eggs in water with a bit of vinegar and one of these ingredients below, then let simmer for at least 15 minutes:

Purple grape juice (for lavender)
Red cabbage (for blue)
Spinach (for green)
Carrot tops, orange peels or lemon peels (for yellow)
Yellow onion skins (for orange)
Beets or cranberries (for pink)
Red onion skins (for red)

5. Lastly, if you can find local sweet or fair trade chocolate that you like, go for that too!

Leap Year Babies!

2008-02-29T11:53:00.000-05:00

Yes. Happy Leap Year to everyone, and especially to those born on leap day and those delievering babies today.

Fun Fact: Julius Caesar had been elected Pontifex Maximus in 63 BC and one of his jobs was to settle the calendar. So in 46 BC Caesar established a 365-day year with a leap year every fourth year.

Fun Source: The Honor Society of Leap Year Babies
This site links to LEAPzine a magazine and all kinds of trivia.

Best of all... Free Stuff! If you (or your child) are a Leap Year baby you're entitled to:

A free large, one-topping "Perfect Pan'' pizza from Papa John's. You have to order it online: www.papajohns.com.

A free lunch from Boston Market up to $10

A free McSkillet BurritoMcDonald's

Make Kid's Art Come to Life

2008-02-28T10:24:00.000-05:00

In kindergarten everyone drew something and had it made into a plate for Mother's Day. You can still do this at TinyTotsOriginals.com. But if you are looking for something else creative to do with your child's drawing, check out Make-My-Own-Monster from FAO Schwarz.

"Make-My-Own-Monster Design Kit, that includes colored pencils, paper, and a detailed questionnaire. With this kit you create not only what the monster looks like, but you also create a story about the monster and describe his or her personality."

For those that don't want to shell out for this, you can also do this easily at home on sewing machine.

Don't Get Sunburnt Baby!

2008-02-26T13:12:00.000-05:00

Off to the south for a healing mid-winter get-a-away? The healing powers of sunshine and warmth are fantastic, but they bring the challenge of skin protection along with them. Check out some of the following products to keep your babies and toddlers protected.

Hanna Anderson's floppy sunhat is both adorable and practical.

Mamma's Milk Solar Veil, a single layer of this patented fabric provides maximum coolness for mom and baby while providing an extreme SPF 70+. It also dries fast so ago ahead and take a dip while you are wearing it.

Pop them in a tent on the beach for both sun protection and less sand in that diaper!

All natural hypo-allergenic California Baby SPF 30 is always great to have in your diaper bag, whether you are at the beach or not.

New Findings on Twin's DNA

2008-02-21T15:55:00.001-05:00

New research expands on the idea that identical twins DNA is not the clone copy we once thought it was. In 2005 found that identical twins differ in how their genes express themselves, now scientists are reporting findings that suggest all identical twins differ genetically from their partners to some degree.

The study found that while twins have identical genomes (the entire hereditary key including both the genes and the non-coding sequences of the DNA) , they often differed in the number of copies of individual gene segments. One twin might be missing a segment, or possess more copies of that segment than the other twin. This would explain why one identical twin can suffer from a disorder while the other remains healthy.

Fun Fact: Identical twins don't have the same fingerprints because genes don't determine fingerprints. They come about by random stresses experienced in the womb- even a small different umbilical cord length can change your finger print.

Restoration Hardware Adds Baby Line

2008-02-14T14:51:00.000-05:00

Restoration Hardware, self-defined as classic and authentic American, is adding a new line called Baby & Child. Their stuff is very JCrew-meets-furniture, and their new line is sure to be worth checking out. Their official announcement,

"Our new Baby & Child collection arrives this summer. The same quality craftsmanship and iconic aesthetic that makes us who we are. All in a smaller, sweeter package."

Isla Fisher's Baby Style

2008-02-13T15:25:00.000-05:00

Isla Fisher is all over the place with her new movies, Definitely, Maybe and Confessions of a Shopaholic. When I saw this picture of her today with her little Olive, I had to find out where she got that adorable bunting.

After much searching I am pretty sure I found it at Bloomies from Ugg Australia- at $280 it's not cheap!

However, for a cute cheaper alternative, you can get this similar one for $57 Canadian

Baby Shower Cupcakes

2008-02-13T12:26:00.000-05:00

Baby showers can have all kinds of themes, but they all certainly have food. And what better dessert that cupcakes? Check out some adorable baby shower cupcakes.

Newly Hatched/Baby Birds. Click here for recipe.

Baby Faces Cupcakes: Click here for recipe.

Lettered Cupcake: Click here for recipe.

Baby Footprint cupcake.

Kids Exercise Equipment?

2008-02-12T16:08:00.000-05:00

Telling kids to get outside and play or to turn off the TV/video games is one thing, but kids exercise equipment? Rather unnecessary. We don't need our toddlers thinking they have to 'work out', exercise should be fun- playing! They naturally run around like crazy anyway, what on Earth would be the purpose of a toddler treadmill? This obsession has gone a little too far, the manufacturer claims, "Children's exercise should be fun, exciting, and safe. This will inspire them to move and have an active lifestyle". I hardly think that buying them a mini Gazelle will inspire them to move. Let them do their thing, they will move- believe me! And a stationary bike? Get them a real bike. They don't want to sit in a basement and peddle away, they want to explore!

Did You Get Your DHA Today?

2008-02-11T14:26:00.000-05:00

Everyone is told from very early on to get folic acid in their diet when preparing for baby and when pregnant. But the next big push? It's DHA, Docosahexaenoic Acid and the bottom line is that it will help with brain and eye development of your growing baby. It's hard to get it just by diet so consider taking Expecta, a DHA supplement designed for pregnant and nursing moms.

So where is the motivation for taking this omega-3 fatty acid?

A 2003 study published in the journal Pediatrics showed children whose mothers took a DHA supplement during pregnancy scored higher on intelligence tests at four years of age than children of mothers not taking DHA supplements.

Research has found low levels of DHA in mother's milk and in the red blood cells of women with postpartum depression. (Journal of Affective Disorders, 2002). Some scientists believe increasing levels of maternal DHA may reduce the risk of postpartum depression.

Dr. Sears states "DHA is the most important brain-building nutrient at all ages, especially during pregnancy and the pre-school years when the child's brain is growing the fastest."

For more information check out WebMd's article, Pregnancy & Baby's article or Wikipedia's article.

If They're Going to Bet Anyway...

2008-02-08T16:39:00.001-05:00

Friends and family are convinced they know that the baby is a boy, coming early and going to weight 8 lbs? Or that is a girl, coming late and have blue eyes? Sign up for PregPool. Let your friends and family come vote and put a little cash down on their guess. You determine how much each guess will cost them and where it will go (to the mom, to charity, to the winner of the pool) etc.

Picky Eater Advice

2008-02-07T09:54:00.000-05:00

I was watching Rachael Ray for the 1st time yesterday, and to my surprise she had some rather interesting advice for parents. Of course I can't exactly remember the meal she was preparing but it involved fish sticks and she claimed the kids would love it. What I do remember is what she said about picking eaters, have them help in the kitchen! Give them an age-appropriate task, whether it be helping stir, measure, add or say, grate cheese and let them feel as though they really helped. Ray says that this helps them take ownership in the meal and then are much more likely to try it (perhaps even eat it) if they've invested themselves in it.

She also had another interesting story later on in the show, paraphrasing here,

"I used to do 30 minute meals at a grocery store. Kids would walk by and say 'Wow. That smells good, can I try it' and the parents would look into the pot and say 'oh thats... you don't like that'. Kids are braver than you think!"

She was insisting that sometimes parents get in the habit of holding picky eaters back because they have been so picky in the past. Sure they hated seafood last week, but if it smells good to them this week, let them try it.

New Study Out on Phthalate Exposure

2008-02-04T12:11:00.000-05:00

The February issue of Pediatrics contains a study that suggests baby lotion, baby powder, and baby shampoo may be exposing babies to potentially harmful chemicals called phthalates. Since U.S. manufacturers are not required to list phthalate contents on products' package label it is extremely difficult for parents to know what they are buying.

"At this time, we do not know what the potential long-term health effects might be, but there is a large body of animal studies to suggest developmental and reproductive toxicity (from phthalates) and a few human studies with changes in health outcomes as well," Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, one of the researchers, is quoted in Reuters Health.

Phthalates are controversial because high doses of many phthalates have shown adverse affects in rodent studies, such as damage to the liver, the kidneys, and the lungs. Recent study findings also include a joint Swedish-Danish research team found a very strong link between allergies in children and the phthalates in 2004.

The state of California is already taking steps against phthalate exposure. Any product made for young children that contains more than 0.01% of phthalates cannot be made, sold or distributed in California beginning in 2009.

Rest assured that there are companies out there trying to make the safest, most natural products they can for babies. Burt's Bees states on their website that their fragrances and products, "not have harmful ingredients, like phthalates". Check out some of Burt's Bee's Baby products here.

Brush Those Baby Teeth!

2008-01-31T11:07:00.000-05:00

February is upon, and among many things, it is National Children's Dental Health Month. Yes, the American Dental Association wants to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.

To get kids involved you can print out puzzles, word jumbles, cool coloring sheets, meandering maze and a smile calendar from the ADA's webpage.

Check out these great books from the library and read them with your kids. Letting them pick out their own toothbrush (Elmo, Dora, etc) also greatly helps in motivating little ones to brush.

For the littlest ones
Brush Your Teeth Please

Kids 4-8
Clarabella's Teeth by An Vrombaut

The classic
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist

Reconsider 'Childproof' Packaging

2008-01-30T10:25:00.000-05:00

US News and World Report writes an interesting article today on childproof packaging. Their outlook? Don't trust it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that each year over 4500 children get into medication and treat themselves to too much, requiring treatment for an overdose. While all of the children studied survived the accidental overdoes, one quarter needed activated charcoal to neutralize the toxic effects. The majority of the children were between ages 2 and 5.

Melissa Schaefer, a physician in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the CDC and the study's lead author said chances of children going after the OTC meds increase when they are sweet and fruit-flavored.

Her advice for keeping pesky hands out of the medicine cabinet:

Keep medicines locked away from kids, even if the drugs have child-resistant packaging.
Never tell a child that medicine is candy.
Don't let children see you take medicine. They love to imitate grownups.

You may also consider ditching all your children's OTC cold medicines soon anyway, with the new FDA warning that was released this month.

Happy Birthday LEGO!

2008-01-28T10:12:00.000-05:00

Yes, this January LEGO turns 50. To celebrate here are some fun LEGO facts.

LEGO began in 1932 in Denmark, when Ole Kirk Christansen founded a small factory for wooden toys in the town of Billund

The name LEGO came from a fusion of the Danish words “LEg” and “GOdt” (“play well”).

Even though there have been small adjustments in shape, color and design- today’s LEGO bricks still fit bricks from 1958

There are 2,400 different LEGO brick shapes

LEGO bricks in boxes that are not sold are melted again and turned into new bricks, in accordance with waste prevention and environmental responsibility

So grab some bricks and start building today!

Dwell Baby has Arrived at Target!

2008-01-25T16:37:00.000-05:00

Walking through Target yesterday I was pleasantly surprised to see some Dwell Baby stuff already on the shelves! Unfortunately it wasn't a huge display but it was very promising. There were two print lines out, a Zoo theme for the boys and a pink/brown tree leaf for the girls called Olivia.

Here are a few pics I snapped with my camera phone. The crib blankets were incredibly soft and cute. I love that they included wall decals with this line, they are so easy and chic (no wallpaper here!)

Big City, Small Nursery

2008-01-24T14:32:00.000-05:00

For those who live in downtown condos, apartments or the like, space is a luxury. Space is something you give up to get you closer to the hot spots, or to be in the cooler neighborhood. But what happens when a baby makes three in a one bedroom? You get creative!

1. Skip a changing table. They take up space, and you will soon learn that you can change a baby anywhere. Put a blanket down in the middle of your bed. Or get a contoured changing pad and put it on top of a waist high dresser- its basically the same thing.

2. Try a stylish mini crib. Full size cribs are huge, a lot of them convert into a headboard for a full size bed. "Mini cribs" sound strange, but there are actually a great size. It coverts into a twin size headboard instead, looks just as stylish and take us way less space. Check out the Da Vinci Annabelle. Or, if you have a huge closet and an extra 10 minutes, you can get a folding crib. Once the baby is up, snap and pop it into storage mode and roll it out of site until nap time.

3. Avoid a huge glider. Sure they look comfy and all, but with the ottoman that always seems to show up with them, they will cut into your floorspace quickly. If you already have a chair that you like with good back support (for all that feeding you are going to do) you don't need a huge motherly chair. Pick up a boppy and you're all set.

4. Go for multifunctional. A swing that is also a bouncy chair (eliminates one big hunk of plastic), a high chair that is also a toddler chair, a stroller that will work at many ages. The longer you can use it, the better off you are- less stuff to store and added bonus- less stuff to buy!

'Modern Twist' On Kids Storage

2008-01-22T13:17:00.000-05:00

Check out Modern Twist 's PJ Box! Keep your kids things stored in comfortable, clever style.

Inspired by a Japanese anemone box, this handmade PJ Pocket is a contemporary home accessory with a purpose. From afar it looks like a simple pillow, but a closer look and a twist of the lid reveals your secret stash. For little tikes the abstract elephant and squirrel designs are delightful. For children it's the perfect hiding place for PJ's, blankets, a stuffed animal, or pacifier.

New Caffeine Pregnancy Report

2008-01-21T19:23:00.001-05:00

Currently the general recommendation for pregnant women is to keep their caffeine intake under 300 mg daily. But a new study published today in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, found that pregnant women who consume 200 milligrams or more of caffeine a day — the amount in 10 ounces of coffee or 25 ounces of tea — may double their risk of miscarriage. At the least, pregnant women give up caffeine for at least the first three or four months.

Don't fret too much is you still have the occasional coffee though, “Moderation in all things is still an excellent rule,” Dr. Westhoff said. “I think we tend to go overboard on saying expose your body to zero anything when pregnant. The human race wouldn’t have succeeded if the early pregnancy was so vulnerable to a little bit of anything. We’re more robust than that.”

Kids Frown on Hospital Clowns?

2008-01-20T17:51:00.000-05:00

Here is an interesting tidbit: Researchers at Britain's University of Sheffield surveyed 250 children to look into what might best improve children's areas of the hospital. Every single child disapproved of using clowns to cheer them up, many of them even reported the clowns as being scary!

To listen to this report on NPR's morning edition click here.

FDA Says No to Cough Meds

2008-01-18T18:39:00.000-05:00

Back in October, drugmakers voluntarily pulled several children's cold medicines off the market based on the FDA investigation that was pending about their safety. Today reports are out that the FDA has made a decision. They are issuing a stern health advisory- to not to give babies under two years of age over-the-counter cold and cough medicine because of potentially "serious and life-threatening side effects." This includes decongestants, expectorants, antihistamines and cough suppressants.

The FDA is looking into OTC meds for children aged 2-11 and should come to a decision on safety by this spring.

Until then try these remedies. NPR asked doctors and reports:

- Always encourage a child by telling him or her that colds are usually short-lived, and that they will feel better in a few days.

- Products containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol; or products containing ibuprofen, such as Motrin or Advil, can make a sick child more comfortable, when given in the proper dose.

- Saline nose drops or warm steam from a shower can help ease decongestion. Of decongestants and cough medicines on the market, Benjamin says, "There is not anything out there that is effective."

- Ensure the child drinks plenty of fluids.

- If the child is not getting better or is getting worse, reevaluate his or her condition.

- Doctors emphasize the importance of reassuring the child by providing affection, comfort, and understanding.

Dwell Baby Coming to Target

2008-01-17T09:43:00.000-05:00

The NYTimes Home and Garden section had some great news this morning. Dwell Studio is coming out with two lower priced lines for Target. Yes, one of those line is Dwell Baby! The nursery collection will be available at the end of the month. The crib sets will include a sheet, blanket and bumper in for about $80. Furniture will be available online only. Cribs from $290 to $300 and changing table-dressers from $280 to $290 will be available. Also keep an eye out for night lights, curtain panels and their famous wall decals.

(click for larger)

US Baby Boomlet

2008-01-16T14:41:00.000-05:00

The United States is experiencing a small baby boom, reporting the largest number of children born in 45 years CNN reports. The 2006 fertility rate is reported at 2.1 children- the highest since 1971.

What is contributing to this jump? One thing is the fertility rate among Hispanics is now at 3 children per woman the highest rate for any group. Another increase is in teen births. The rate of teenage pregnancies rose for the first time in 15 years.

Year of Celebabies!

2008-01-16T10:40:00.000-05:00

It's only the 3rd week of January and we have a ton of celebrities announcing their pregnancies. Seems the old Wait-Until-they-Spot-the-Bump is out of style and telling the press early is in!

So far we have:

Nicole Kidman with her husband
Jessica Alba and boyfriend
Matthew McConaughey's girlfriend Camila Alves
Lily Allen and boyfriend
Singer/songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk is pregnant with her 3rd

Rumors are also swirling that:

Gwyneth Paltrow Pregnant With Third Child

Fergie is pregnant with Josh Duhamel's baby

David Spade's ex-girlfriend is pregnant with his baby

the Daily Green's Mom Blog

2008-01-10T13:49:00.000-05:00

If you have never been to The Daily Green, its a pretty cute informative website. Think- Real Simple meets GreenBlog. Not that websites should be graded on layout and presentation- but with a lot of the content being available via many sources, why not go for the one that is the easiest on the eyes?

I just found the Daily Green has a section called Ask An Organic Mom. It is written by the co-authors of The Complete Organic Pregnancy. Posts include topics like

Feeding Baby Organic (Even Vegan) On the Road

Finding Organic Food from Local Farms - Even in Winter

Pregnant? Breast Feeding? Best Avoid Nail Polish

Enjoy! It's a great resource!

A Gift of Diapers to Orphans in Need

2008-01-04T14:51:00.000-05:00

Mother of Eden, the company that makes Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers and other diapering accessories now has programs that you can donate used cloth diapers to. If all your kids are finally potty trained and you are wondering what to do with those diapers- check out this page.

Mother of Eden has sent thousands of diapers to orphans in the U.S., Africa Haiti and Ukraine. An example of how your diapers might help:

Healing Hands for Haiti

Healing Hands for Haiti is a non-profit grass roots organization dedicated to fostering the expansion and quality of rehabilitation services for physically disabled adults and children in Haiti. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and the fifth poorest in the world. Orphaned babies and children live a daily struggle to meet basic needs. And with streets overrun with trash, Haiti's orphans are in desperate need for cloth diapers. We are proud to have partnered with this organization through our donation of 500 Fuzzi Bunz diapers.

New Approach to Autism Research

2008-01-03T09:55:00.000-05:00

The University of Washington is looking for 200 local families to participate in a new study. The idea behind the research is to look at babies and treat babies before the symptoms even show up. 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with Autism- usually around the age of two years. If an older sibling has Autism- the likelihood of being diagnosed jumps to 1 out of 20 children.

This study is "one of the nation's first studies on preventing autism in infants and will spend the next four years exploring the benefit of intensive and early therapy on the mysterious disorder" according to the SeattlePi.com. UW clinicians have seen more successful the earlier they have treated children and hope this study will help them understand why.

Parents interested in participating in the study can call the UW Autism Center at 800-994-9701 or check depts.washington.edu/uwautism.

New Favorite Pregnancy Book

2008-01-02T10:56:00.000-05:00

Sure we all got a copy of What to Expect When Your Expecting- but if you are looking for a book that offers a wide spectrum of views and a bit more personal an approach check out From the Hips: A Comprehensive, Open-Minded, Uncensored, Totally Honest Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, and Becoming a Parent.

What I liked most about this book is the cartoonist bubbles that have quotes from "anonymoms" and "anonydads" as they call them. It is so refreshing and comforting to hear that you are not the only one who thinks:

"man- I didn't realize how much my social circle drinks until I stopped drinking- it was tough!"

"I was so scared about loosing the baby that I kept running to the bathroom to check my undies"

"my milk didnt come in for 4 days and I thought my baby would starve! My doula said it was perfectly normal and in the end everything was fine"

The quotes say things that more straightforward (read: dull) pregnancy books don't and they truly are unbiased and supportive of all pregnant women and new mothers. If it is your first pregnancy and you don't have friends who are pregnant yet it is a great way to hear real women talk about all kinds of issues- on your own time and in the privacy of your own home.

If Your Baby Was a Fruit

2007-12-28T13:12:00.000-05:00

For those of you who love to track growth progress (and really who doesn't) when you are pregnant, I finally found a good weekly list of your little one in terms of size of fruit: Tada!

(click for larger picture!)

Australia's Baby Breath Tax

2007-12-17T13:11:00.000-05:00

There has been more and more talk of downsizing the human population as the Earth's natural resources are recently straining to keep up with the growth- but Australia is the 1st that I know of to propose a tax for the carbon footprint the new family addition will add. The proposal basically says that the first two kids you don't have to pay for, but any kids after that will cost you a $4,400 tax at birth, plus $350 to $700 per year "for the life of the child."

What is the justification? From a letter to the Editor of The Medical Journal of Australia,

Every newborn baby in Australia represents a potent source of greenhouse gas emissions for an average of 80 years, not simply by breathing, but by the profligate consumption of resources typical of our society.

Does that seem unfair? I'm not sure what I think yet. But on the opposite side of this proposal- people should get carbon credits for using contraceptives, intrauterine devices, diaphragms, condoms and sterilization procedures. Likewise, family planning clinics and hospitals that provide greenhouse-friendly services should also receive a tax benefit.

This will be an interesting topic and trend to follow.

If a Tiffany's Box Could Be a Nursery

2007-12-12T13:20:00.000-05:00

I love nursery designs- and a good bargain. Sometimes it is hard to get just exactly what you want without emptying your pockets. But today I stumbled across the sweetest room- in a light blue that could very easily work for a boy or a girl -with all the white curly details. It just took my breath away- and it was.... on the IKEA website! Yes! This whole room is fantastically coordinated and chic and not expensive at the same time.

(click to enlarge!)

What does this room entail?
1. HENSVIK crib $129
2. EKTORP JENNYLUND chair- in white, washable cover! $199
3. HENSVIK wardrobe $139
4. TASSA NATT wall light $5
5. HEMNES changing table $144

$616- not bad considering some people are asking $750 to $1790 for a crib!

Anorexia Risk Determined In Utero?

2007-12-11T10:22:00.000-05:00

Previous studies have shown that shared family environment has little effect on the development of anorexia, so researchers are now looking at shared intrauterine environment. A new study out this month from researchers in Sweden in The Archives of General Psychiatry suggests that female sex hormones exposure in the womb may have an affect on predisposition to anorexia.

The study looked at twins, same sex twins and opposite sex twins. Researchers observed 51 cases of anorexia among the female twins, 3 among the male twins and 36 among the opposite-sex pairs. What is interesting is that among the opposite-sex twins almost half the cases were in males- a greater number than we normally see as females in general have a 10 times higher risk than males for anorexia. So what does that mean?

"the male member of a male-female twin pair had a risk for anorexia statistically no different from the risk among females... Female sex hormones may influence neurodevelopment and later risk for anorexia, they suggest, and males in that uterine environment would be similarly affected."

For help on anorexia, try AnorexiaHelp.net, HealthyPlace.com, or Anorexia Treatment.

2007 Green Holiday Toy List

2007-12-10T13:18:00.000-05:00

There are tons of places on the web telling you what it hot and what's not, what's "eco-hip" and what Earth friendly... most are not all that helpful, but here is a run down of some lists that were actually worth reading:

250+ Lead-Free Toys Made in the USA: From the Daily Green.
The Daily Green has reached out to Made-in-USA toy manufacturers all over America to find out what's available this holiday season for kids whose parents are willing to take that extra step to keep their kids (and homes) safe from this deadly environmental toxin.

Yahoo's Growing Up Green List
25 gift from the top environmental blogs including TreeHugger, ecoFabulous and Greenopia

The Green Parent Holiday Gift List
Gifts are divided into 5 categories; Toys You Can Trust, No Waste Gifts, Books for All Ages, Cool Eco-Friendly Stuff, and Gifts That Give Back.

Genius! Mabel's Labels

2007-12-06T10:54:00.001-05:00

If you haven't checked out Mabel's Labels yet, you should. Put away the sharpies since you will no longer be penning your kids names on everything. They have labels for just about everything: cups, spoons, tupperware, shoes, clothes, backpacks, and yes- allergies. The best part is that unlike your 'permandent' marker- these won't fade or wash off.

"They withstand the dishwasher, microwave, UV Rays and hard wearing children. Customers tell us tales of four-year-old labels still holding strong!"

Not Sure? Test Your Toys!

2007-12-05T13:47:00.000-05:00

An AP report on MSNBC today says that after tests by a coalition of environmental health groups found that of the more than 1,200 children’s products tested, 35% contained lead. Of those items, items deemed with "excessive lead levels" included a Hannah Montana card game case, a Go Diego Go! backpack and Circo brand shoes.

The Consumer Action Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys is available at
http://www.healthytoys.org

To buy lead tester kits try:
http://www.leadinspector.com/

For information on how to properly check toys for lead try:
http://www.leadtesttoys.com/howtotoys.aspx

Better for the Kids and the Environment!

2007-12-04T12:48:00.001-05:00

A new study out in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by Jianguo Liu, an ecologist at Michigan State University says that "Americans spend an extra $3.6 billion annually on water as a result of the extra households created when people divorce". Other examples they site: running twice as many applicances for the same number of people- two separate AC units, dishwashers, and refrigerators - where there used to be more communal use.

Now, there are plenty of good reasons for divorce- abuse being a very serious one, so I am not suggesting this lightly. Just an interesting factoid. Healthy marriages are always ideal and now here's another (albeit very small) motivation to work things through perhaps.

The MSNBC article can be found here.

Folic Acid in Flour

2007-12-04T10:03:00.000-05:00

If you have heard it once, you have heard it 10 billion times: when pregnant and when trying to conceive take Folic Acid! Yet still the NYTimes reports, "an estimated 200,000 children around the world are born with crippling defects of the spinal column. Many are paralyzed or permanently impaired by spina bifida".

Experts are suggesting that governments should require that flour be fortified with folic acid, which has been shown to prevent these neural tube defects. For Americans, this bill has already been passed. The federal government has been requiring almost all flour to be fortified since 1998. However, the average amount that most women get from this addition to flour is a mere extra 100 micrograms of folic acid a day. 100 micrograms is not nearly enough to make a difference, as women in the first trimester should have 600 micrograms. For the last 10 years doctors have been asking the Food and Drug Administration to double the amount, but the FDA keeps resisting.

Keep an eye out for further news on this topic, as recently the buzz around it has picked up. The American Medical Association, the March of Dimes and several pediatric societies have stepped up and asked the FDA to amend this policy.

Peanut Allergies at 14 months

2007-12-03T15:44:00.000-05:00

A recent study published in Pediatrics has caused the American Academy of Pediatrics to now recommend that children with a family history of allergies avoid peanuts until age 3.

Analyzing data from 2000 to 2006 from the Duke University pediatric allergy and immunologyclinic, doctors found that food allergies are showing up earlier. The study concluded,

"In the past decade, the ages of first peanut exposureand reaction have declined among peanut-allergic children seenin a referral clinic. Egg allergy is very common in peanut-allergicpatients, and sesame seeds should perhaps be considered oneof the major food allergens. The decline in the age of firstpeanut reaction seems to be attributable to earlier exposure."

Dr. Todd Green of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh was quoted by MSNBC, “There’s a valid reason to delay introduction to products containing peanuts. When kids are older, it can be easier to manage bad reactions. They can tell you right away if their mouths feel funny. For that reason alone, it’s worth delaying exposing your child to a peanut product, especially if a child is at high risk".

If you are worried about the possibilty of food allergies because of family history, go ahead and wait- it certainly doesn't appear to hurt.

Fun with Harmless Air Blasts

2007-12-02T16:04:00.000-05:00

Looking for something fun to give that both children and adults (but generally not the dog) will enjoy? Try the airzooka! We personally had a blast with it last year, although it did scare the dog a bit - it makes a fairly loud noise when you deploy. The noise didn't bother me much at all and lends to a fun conversation about science if you are up for it. You hear the noise before you feel the blast of air move your hair. Enter introduction to physics!

Keep Slinging Through the Snow!

2007-11-29T14:58:00.001-05:00

Just because it is getting cold doesn't mean that you have to stop baby-wearing for the winter. Check out the Peekaru Original- it is a fleece vest that zips over your baby carrier to keep you both warm. It fits comfortably over most carriers. It is a green purchase as well, as the Peekaru is made from 85% recycled fleece.

Read more about it as well as reviews here.

Cupcake Lunchbox Solution!

2007-11-16T15:11:00.000-05:00

Ever want to send a leftover cupcake to school, but not sure what to put it in without icing getting everywhere? Well, the ingenious people at the Container Store have a solution.

It holds a standard-size cupcake and prevents it from moving while in transit. The airtight seal preserves the freshness. It's the perfect lunchtime companion for kids and grown-ups alike! $2.99 each.

Celeb Baby Shower for Charity

2007-11-15T15:55:00.000-05:00

From US Magazine we learn that Nicole Richie and Joel Madden are planning a baby shower- but don't want gifts for themselves. Instead they are asking for cribs, strollers and stuffed animals to the new Richie Madden Children’s Foundation. The foundation will support mothers in need. Next month, the charity will donate 100 Mom-to-Be kits to the Los Angeles Free Clinic in addition to the gifts collected at the shower.

My question is this: If celebs aren't concerned with their fame and fortune and really do want to do something good for others- why do they always insist on making a new organization in their own name? Why not have people bring gifts to the shower for established and already running charities? I'll tell you why, because in the end it still is just a little bit about them. But well wishes to them for making a great effort. If you are looking for great children's foundations to donate to this holiday season, try one of these:

March of Dimes
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Toys For Tots
Save the Children

Showing In Style: Winter

2007-11-15T12:32:00.000-05:00

Do you have a fancy Thanksgiving, Holiday or New Years gig around the corner? Fear not. There is plenty of formal maternity wear for winter available. Check out some cute options:

Emerald Silk Dress from Mimi Maternity $99

For elegance from Isabella Oliver, the Twist Dress $155

For a splurge from A Pea in the Pod
Beaded Chiffon Dress $425

And a bit more casual, but still festive option:
Red snowflake sweater from Motherhood $20

I Heart Finger Puppets!

2007-11-12T09:48:00.000-05:00

I found some adorable finger puppets this summer forgot to blog about them until today, when I saw more adorable finger puppets from a totally different place.

Manhattan Toy: one of many many cute sets:

From Puppet Universe: Pirate Finger Puppets!

Dwell Baby's Finger Puppets

Breastfeeding and IQ Boosting

2007-11-09T15:18:00.001-05:00

Recent research performed at Avshalom Caspi at King's College in London found that babies that carry a specific gene get extra benefit (specifically IQ) when they are breastfeed- than those who lack the gene. The benefits from breastfeeding any baby are still enormous; being protected against childhood cancer, obesity, allergies and infections- are not be belittled here.

The authors looked at a gene called FADS2. They decided to follow this gene because it produces an enzyme that helps convert fatty acids into the polyunsaturated fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and AA (arachidonic acid). DHA accumulates in large amounts in the brain during the first two years of life and has been shown to help with brain development, although doctors are not yet sure why and how.

FADS2 has three variants, two of which have an allele called the "C allele". If your baby has the C allele breastfeeding will give them an average boost of 6.8 IQ points. If the this allele isn't present there is no noticeable benefit in IQ. Although it appears the odds your baby has this gene are in your favor- they say 90% of the population has the C allele.

Terrie Moffitt, a professor of psychological and brain sciences in Duke University's Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, and researcher in the study comments on the breakthrough, "The argument about intelligence has been about nature versus nurture for at least a century. We're finding that nature and nurture work together". That's what I like to hear- it's not nature versus nurture- it is a very very complex combination of them both.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

2007-11-09T09:51:00.000-05:00

Yes, Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is a mere fortnight away and things are getting cold out! So what's the cute way to bundle up your bundle of joy? Here are a few options:

BearHands for Baby $15

Adorable LLBean Fleece Toddler hat $12

Nordic Fleece Baby Bunting by Hanna Anderson $54

Infant/Toddler Puffer Jacket $18

First Lead Posioning, Now Comas?!

2007-11-08T12:49:00.000-05:00

What has gotten into the toy market this year? First there are all those recalls for lead paint and now the Aqua Dots recall for GHB. This type of leak into the market is totally, absolutely unacceptable. What seems to be the funny part is that Wal-Mart had even selected it to be one of the top toys for the holiday season, and now it is being pulled from the shelves.

An advertisement for Aqua Dots (for those of you who haven't seem them) read:
Aqua Dots Super Studio is the super cool way to have fun! Wow your friends with unique designs using Aqua Dots beads. You be the artist! Arrange Aqua Dots in any pattern or design you want, spray with water and play! The secret is water magically makes the colorful dots stick together to create an awesome design! Simply make, spray and stay for hours of fun every day! They´re magic! No Heat, No glue, No Mess!

It does actually sound neat and fun, similar to those plastic beads that kids used to iron and melt together into different shapes and designs. But how on Earth did the manufactures manage to contaminate them with a compound that metabolizes into GHB?!

Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid is used illegally under street names like Juice, Liquid Ecstasy, and as a date rape drug. Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN was quoted in their article, "In higher doses, it can cause people to go into a coma. It can cause seizures. It can cause something known as hypotonia, where all your muscles just become very flaccid. And it can cause people to become amnestic, ... which is why it became a date-rape drug". If you have Aqua Dots throw them out immediately. I think it is fair to say that we all hope that sometime soon we can regain trust in our toy manufactures, until then go ahead and be skeptical and keep your eyes and ears open for anything that may seem suspect.