New Warnings Regarding Baby Slings Expected
Nearly every mama I know has carried her baby in a sling at one time or another. My own daughter rode in a sling almost daily, especially during her colicky phase, when she needed to be held all the time. I was always very careful to check on her breathing and make sure her face wasn't covered, because it did occur to me that a newborn bundled in yards of fabric could present some safety issues.
That's exactly what you may hear in coming weeks from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - a warning that baby slings could be dangerous. According to the Associated Press, CPSC is getting ready to issue some new warnings about baby slings because they've been linked to the suffocation deaths of seven infants.
In the meantime, consider using babywearing positions other than the classic cradle hold. Much of the risk to babies in slings, according to the AP article, is that they can shift into a C position deep in the sling and their airway can be compromised. New Warnings Regarding Baby Slings Expected originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 20:04:46. Permalink | Comment | Email this
"We Were Only Going a Short Distance...."
Spring break is coming up, and for many families, that means it's time for a road trip. Just as the laws of physics and crash dynamics don't change because you're within 5 minutes of home, they also do not change when you're on vacation. Every single time you get in the car with your baby or toddler, it is equally important to make sure your little one is buckled up properly.
One case that has brought this to mind for me recently is in Massachusetts. Three young children were seriously injured in a crash because the adults in the vehicle did not put them in car seats, or even buckle them up at all. The mother of those children said they weren't buckled because the family was only traveling a short distance.
Those adults will now face neglect charges. Some states don't allow that sort of charge for not using car seats. In my state, for example, you might only get a $150 fine. Frankly, I think more states should call it what it is - neglect or endangerment. By neglecting to put a child in a car seat, parents are deliberately putting their children in harm's way.
In one of the counties where I work as a Child Passenger Safety Technician, none of the children who have been killed in car crashes in the past 10 years were in a car seat or seat belt. They were unrestrained. Most were fairly close to home when they were killed. Don't relax your safety standards for your family just because you're not far from your home.
When you're on vacation, the same rules apply. Opt for the smaller airport shuttle van that has seat belts. Install the car seat in the taxi. Even if you consider yourself to be a very safe driver in a very safe vehicle, there's always someone else on the road who is careless or driving a bigger vehicle. When you make sure your children are properly restrained every single time you're in the car, you're protecting them from the other guy who isn't quite so careful. "We Were Only Going a Short Distance...." originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 09:03:19. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Hot Baby Products: Skip Hop Studio Tote
 Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber.com. This week, I had a chance to check out the new pewter dot Studio Tote diaper bag from Skip Hop. Photos don't do this diaper bag justice! The colors are soft, pretty grays that will coordinate with almost any outfit, whether you're headed to the office or the park. The fabric on the bag is accented by slightly shimmery, elegant leather trim.
The Studio Tote isn't just another pretty face, though. It's roomy enough for a stash of diapers, blankets, extra clothes and other baby gear on the inside. Pockets line the whole inside, so you can organize easily. The exterior has two bottle pockets, two zip pockets, and a wide pocket on the back.
A coordinating changing pad comes with the Skip Hop Studio Tote. There are also little clips inside that can be used to quickly hang the diaper bag securely on stroller handles. This is a fantastic and attractive diaper bag that can definitely be used post-baby as an office tote.
Hot Baby Products: Skip Hop Studio Tote originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 02:58:23. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Wordless Wednesday: Extended Rear-Facing
Toddlers, ages 3.5 and 1.5, rear-facing in Graco My Ride 65 car seats. Photo submitted by A.B.
Do you have a photo you'd like to submit for Wordless Wednesday? Take a look at the Wordless Wednesday guidelines and submission procedures, and send me your best pics! Wordless Wednesday: Extended Rear-Facing originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 02:29:31. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Hot Baby Products: Bloom Alma Mini Crib
At the most recent ABC Kids Expo, where I go each year to take a look at the latest and greatest in the baby gear world, one crib out of hundreds stood out in my mind. I suppose Bloom's Alma crib is rather difficult to ignore when it comes in brilliant citrus colors. There was no way I could bypass a gorgeous lime green crib paired with striking orange bedding! I wouldn't have imagined that I'd like a green or orange crib, but I did. Oh, I did.
The Bloom Alma mini crib is not all looks, though. It's a pretty cool, and different, crib concept. Most mini cribs are not designed for everyday use, which leaves parents who have small homes in somewhat of a conundrum. Use a sturdier full-size crib and stretch for the space, or sacrifice durability in the name of square footage. The Alma crib solves that problem with sturdy construction in a smaller-than-average footprint. It also folds up incredibly small, no tools required, so that you can shift the crib out of the way in a flash if you need to.
Since the Alma mini crib is on the small side, you will also need to spring for a specially sized mattress and bedding. Bloom sells accessories to go along with the Alma crib, including an attractive, over-the-crib changing table and a handy storage bag with pockets and space for the wheels to peek through. All of those extras do up the price, but it's still well within range of other good quality cribs. The Alma crib runs about $400, with the mattress adding another $150. If you're not a fan of the bold colors, Bloom also makes the Alma crib in tamer shades of gray, white and brown.
Photos courtesy of Pricegrabber.com. Hot Baby Products: Bloom Alma Mini Crib originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 01:59:17. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Wordless Wednesday: These Birthday Gifts Are For Me?
First birthday photo submitted by D.L.
Do you have a photo you'd like to submit for Wordless Wednesday? Take a look at the Wordless Wednesday guidelines and submission procedures, and send me your best pics! Wordless Wednesday: These Birthday Gifts Are For Me? originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 09:53:23. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Have You Tried Glass Baby Bottles?
 Babylife WeeGo Glass Bottles. ©2008. Used with permission. Glass baby bottles have, of course, been around forever. They've made a new surge in popularity after the big push for BPA-free bottles, though. After all, one way to avoid BPA in plastics is to avoid plastic bottles altogether.
How did you choose between BPA-free plastic bottles and traditional glass bottles? Plastic bottles have the advantage of being lightweight, unlikely to break, and widely available. Glass baby bottles are incredibly durable and can now be dressed up with really cute bottle covers that prevent breakage if they're dropped. Vote in the poll below and then share how you decided which bottles to use via the comments link.
Poll: Have you tried glass baby bottles?
Have You Tried Glass Baby Bottles? originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 09:05:17. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Share Your Baby Gear Tips!
Once you've gained a few months of parenting experience with a newborn, or you've successfully navigated perilous toddler situations, your ideas and suggestions are incredibly valuable to others. You can share your favorite baby products here, or give tips on ways you've creatively used the baby gear you chose so carefully. Help out other parents by sharing your thoughts and photos in the forms below, or browse responses to get ideas of your own.
Share Your Baby Gear Tips! originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 10:05:50. Permalink | Comment | Email this
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