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I’m blatenly plagiarizing here with obvious kudos to this blogger. I whole-heartedly agree with everything she wrote - including crying over these horrible deaths. Living in Florida and knowing how hot a car gets I urge everyone to consider this!

I have my doubts I’ll ever, ever forget my peanut in the car but it does have possibilities for the stroller, etc while shopping. After all you can never be too careful.

Thank you to this amazing mom for making me (and hopefully a few others now) aware of this device - The Child Minder® system!

When I lived in Arizona I would hear many stories during the hot summer months of kids being injured or killed when left alone in vehicles. I feel ill just thinking about the stories I would hear on the news of a parent who left a sleeping child in the car so they could do their grocery shopping. In most cases this type of thing was done deliberately by a negligent parent who was foolishly unaware of how dangerous it is to leave a child in the car like that. But I would be sobbing like a baby whenever I heard the tragic tale of a parent that inadvertently left their sleeping child in the car and headed to work for the day instead of daycare. In these cases it was completely accidental and I think these stories hit me so hard because deep down I am thinking there is no reason to think something like that could not happen to me or my husband. Parents get distracted, they get weighed down with the hectic details of life, and horrible things happen to good people. Here is one such story…but don’t read it unless prepared to cry.

I was thrilled to see a product on the same site that addresses this issue. It is not a natural product that will be winning any sustainability awards but nonetheless a great product that may give some parents a little peace of mind. Children die every year from heat and cold exposure when left unattended in cars. Hyperthermia is the 2nd leading cause of noncrash, nontraffic automobile related deaths among children. The Child Minder® system is an affordable ($65), portable and practical monitoring device which can prevent these accidents. Installation takes less than three minutes, meaning the device can be quickly and easily moved from one car seat to another. The Child Minder® makes it nearly impossible for a child to be inadvertently left in his/her car seat unattended.

Here is how it works:

Simply replace your child’s safety seat harness clip with the Child ‘Minder® system’s smart clip and place the key ring alarm unit on your key ring. The smart clip is activated upon being fastened, which means that should you walk more than 10 feet from your automobile while your child remains inside in his or her child safety seat, an alarm will sound to alert you. Once the smart clip is unfastened, the unit is deactivated.

The device can also be used in a stroller or baby carriage to prevent unintentional separation of the child and its caregiver. I am happy see a product like this on the market.

I was in Burlington Coat Factory today and saw they are currently having a sale on baby bedding sets, furniture, etc. The sale ends Aug 4th so be sure to pop over soon!

One of the women from my BBC class recently bought this seat and gave it rave reviews! A quick peek on Target’s website (they have it for $24.99) and everyone felt the same. Whoa! That never happens After peeking at the picture I understand why - it’s a built-in mini seat for the wee ones but doesn’t impede the adults. If you want to know more do a quick search for “Potty Pal Standard Toilet Seat” in your favorite search engine.

**One word of caution - make sure you pick the right size for your toilet because they have both elongated (oval) and round.

“Potty training? Get rid of your standard toilet seat and replace it with the Potty Pal! It’s a flip seat that converts from toilet seat to potty seat and back. But that’s not all! The PottyPal, created by Dr. Thom Merry, is a also a complete toilet training system that comes with great advice and colorful reward stickers that reinforce your child’s potty successes.

The potty seat and toilet seat are integrated into one unit. The potty seat lifts up when the parent uses the toilet. When the child wants to go potty, he or she simply lowers the potty seat onto the toilet seat. The conversion is now complete: the Potty Pal flip seat converts the toilet into a potty seat for a child.

The Potty Pal flip seat comes with a book of colorful coupons and step-by-step advice on potty training by Dr. Merry. “

We are past the stage of colic but I found this awesome post and just had to add it. Interestingly enough read #4. Anthony had to get suctioned out and if I had known this then it might have helped!!

For Crying Out Loud!
By Kristine Roberson
http://www.MyMamaSaid.com

So you bring your new baby home from the hospital, and you are full of excitement. You’re in awe over just how cute and adorable this little person is, and your heart fills with more love than you ever thought it was capable of holding.

A few harried weeks go by and you are starting to notice that your perfect little baby is crying - a lot. As a matter of fact, he won’t stop crying. You try everything you can think of, and he just won’t stop crying. Suddenly, the cuteness starts to wear off. Suddenly, the reality of your new life sets in. And your baby has colic. And nothing you do is working.

Sound familiar? It sure does to me! Although my son did not have colic (he didn’t cry for months straight), he did have “colicky” moments (he would often pull an all-day crying fest). At any rate, helping a baby with colic is trying, tortuous, exasperating and tiring - and very drawn out. Classic colic can set in at two to three months of age and last up until about six months of age.

I’ve heard some horror stories and have a couple of my own. I’ve also heard a plethora of suggestions on how to help a baby with colic. Here are the best tips I’ve been given or read:

Tip #1: If you think gas is a problem, try Mylecon infant drops (no, not for your husband, silly, your baby!). I used them on my son a few times and he would stop crying and be a happy baby again after about 10 minutes.

Tip #2: Breastfeeding? Watch your diet! Stick to a basic diet with little to now spices and try eliminating dairy for a week or so. Your baby may be having an allergic reaction to it.

Tip #3: Breastfeeding enough? Maybe your baby really does want to nurse every other hour - mine did! Most babies are comforted by nursing enough to fall right to sleep (and they usually don’t cry in their sleep!).

Tip #4: OK, you may not believe me on this one, but I’ve had two professionals corroborate the theory. Was your baby delivered via forceps or vacuum extraction? I’ve had doulas and chiropractors tell me that this type of delivery can take the baby out of alignment and a round of baby chiropractic treatments can be extremely helpful. I’ve heard stories of colicky babies getting a couple of chiropractic treatments and they turn into totally different - and calm - babies! Check around and find a reputable chiropractor who specializes in infants and give it a try. You never know. My mother tells me I was delivered via forceps and had colic for three months straight!

Tip #5: Try infant massage. Lay baby on his back and massage his tummy in an upside down U, starting at one side of his pelvis area, working up to his diaphragm and then down to the other side. This technique is actually referenced in William and Martha Sears’ “Baby Book: Everything You Need To Know About Your Baby - From Birth To Age Two”

Tip #6: Try a little chamomile tea. I’ve heard from British moms that a little chamomile tea does wonders, and I believe it. Chamomile is known for its tummy-soothing properties.

Tip #7: Turn on the vacuum cleaner! I’m serious! The white noise might calm him right down and put him to sleep! We tried this on my son and it worked everytime. Not most times - 100 percent of the time. We actually burned up the vacuum engine and had to buy a new one!

Tip #8: Formula-fed baby? The formula you are giving him may be contributing to the problem. If you are feeding him a milk-based formula, try a soy-based formula. If that doesn’t work, there are formulas specifically targeted to allergic babies. Consult your pediatrician, then give them a shot.

Tip #9: Warm his tummy. Try a warmed towel on his crib mattress and laying him on that (put baby on his side).

Tip #10: Movement, movement, movement. Rock him, walk him. Put him in his infant carrier, turn on the clothes dryer and place him on top of it. Go for a long drive.

Tip #11: OK, this one was suggested to me and never worked with my son, but you may find it helpful. Try the “colic hold.” Hold your baby on your forearm so that his tummy is resting on your arm, his head is at your elbow and his diaper is in your hand.

Of all the tips above, #7 is my favorite. The vacuum cleaner has truly become my best friend! Just make sure to get your husband to clean the carpets while it’s on!

Do you have an idea I forgot to mention, please share it with the rest of us!

Good luck, and keep your spirits up! Colic is no fun, but it will end. I promise!

 

Anthony is one of those children that is constantly teething but the teeth just don’t come in. Combine that with his separation anxiety and we’ve got problems! Nick’s cousin said she used to use chamomile tea to help her youngest son sleep (when Ant’s anxiety goes thru the roof) so I did some quick research and found this.

Chamomile Flower (Matricaria recutita) - Chamomile Flower is considered safe by the FDA, with no known adverse effects in pregnancy, lactation, or childhood. Chamomile tea is commonly used by nursing moms for relaxation. Peter Rabbit’s mother gave him a cup of chamomile tea after he returned from his day of danger in Mr. MacGregor’s garden to settle his stomach, calm him down, and make him sleepy. But the medicinal use of chamomile starts way before the story of Peter Rabbit. Ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks used chamomile flowers to relieve sunstroke, fevers, and colic. Germans use a phrase to describe chamomile, “alles zutraut,” which means that chamomile can cure anything.

There are many uses for chamomile. Irritation from chest colds, slow-healing wounds, abscesses, gum inflammation, psoriasis, eczema, ulcerative colitis, children’s conditions such as chickenpox, diaper rash, and colic are common reasons for taking chamomile tea, baths, or tinctures.

Here’s some more helpful hints:

 

Baby-Safe Alternative Medicine
Natural remedies for four common infant ailments

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By Meryl Davids LandauWith more parents turning to alternative remedies to cure what ails them, it’s not surprising that they’re increasingly interested in treating their babies this way too. “These methods can be more gentle and have fewer side effects, two reasons they are gaining in popularity for young children,” says Benjamin Kligler, M.D., a family practitioner and associate medical director of the Continuum Center for Health and Healing in New York City.Of course, what works for parents may not be safe for their kids. Because natural remedies are not regulated by the government, talk to your pediatrician before trying any alternative approach. Following are common alternative treatments for basic baby bothers:• Cradle cap: Olive oil is an ancient remedy used to help moisturize the scales that come with cradle cap, says Edward Cox, M.D., chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Rub one tablespoon into the head a half hour before bathtime three times a week, gently comb out the flakes or rub them with a soft toothbrush, then rinse.• Colic: Diluted chamomile or fennel tea relaxes a baby’s intestines, says Stuart Ditchek, M.D., clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine and coauthor of Healthy Child, Whole Child. To get the correct concentration, steep a bag for one minute in four ounces of warm water. Then give your baby a half-ounce or an ounce by bottle a few times a day, not exceeding four ounces in a 24-hour period.

Water can fill up an infant’s tiny tummy, so decrease if this appears to affect your baby’s appetite. A very small number of babies may be allergic to chamomile tea, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before trying this remedy. Symptoms of a reaction include rash, vomiting, or breathing difficulty. Dr. Ditchek also recommends infant massage, “which not only soothes the irritable child, but also calms the parent doing the stroking.” Use a baby-safe moisturizing cream and rub gently over your infant’s body.

• Teething: Homeopathic remedies (extremely diluted forms of a substance) have no documented side effects and may be effective for even the youngest teethers, says Dr. Kligler. The remedy Camilla (diluted chamomile) can be given orally as directed several times daily.

• Constipation: If your baby is over 6 months, constipation can often be cured by increasing her water and fiber intake; good sources are baby cereal with added fiber and mashed peas, broccoli, or beans. A teaspoon of caro syrup in four ounces of liquid may help as well.

Babytalk, March 2004

Pacifiers Decorated with Crystals Recalled Due to Aspiration and Ingestion Hazards

The recall involves pacifiers that were purchased from stores, decorated with Swarovski crystals, then resold to consumers. The crystals were glued on the pacifier’s handle and guard. They come in different colors and designs. These pacifiers fail to meet federal safety standards for pacifiers. The pacifiers’ crystals can separate easily, posing an aspiration and ingestion hazard to young children. Consumers should take these pacifiers away from young children immediately and contact the firm for instructions on obtaining a full refund. Sold at Dara Linda’s Baby Bling and Jewelry Design, of Davie, Fla.; Bling Toes, of Cherry Valley, Ill.; Baby Bling Things, of Appleton, Wis.; PeaNaPod Bling and Accessories, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and MJM Crystal Designs, of Boca Raton, Fla.

Anthony and I were included on some footage of a story a local reporter was doing on Baby Bootcamp.

Pottery Barn Kids has recalled Matelasse Crib Bumpers because decorative stitching on the bumper’s edge can come loose, posing an entanglement hazard to young children. This recall involves the Diamond Matelassé, Floral Matelassé and Polka Dot Matelassé crib bumpers made of 100% cotton. The Diamond Matelassé bumpers are white and have decorative thread in pink, blue, green, yellow or chocolate stitched along the scalloped edge. The Polka Dot and Floral bumpers come in assorted colors with matching decorative stitching. A label on the bumper reads “pottery barn kids”.Sold at: Pottery Barn Kids stores nationwide, its catalog, and online stores from February 2003 through June 2007 for about $90. Consumers should stop using the bumpers immediately and remove any exposed stitching, or contact Pottery Barn Kids for a refund. Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Pottery Barn Kids toll-free at (877) 800-9720 between 7 a.m. and 12 a.m. ET daily or visit the company’s website at www.potterybarnkids.com

Great article on one of my favorite past-times. For each monthly “birthday” I make sure to take some pics and of course, lots of time in between

Baby Photography - Hints for Taking Better Photos
By Michael Russell

I love baby photographs. I have researched the library and the internet to find the best and most basic tips for you to use when photographing your newborn. Using these helpful hints will help to ensure better photos for you and for baby’s photo history.

You will want to make sure your camera has fresh batteries. Be sure to have your CF card ready to go if you are using a digital camera. In a standard camera, make sure you have fresh film. As for the film, make sure it is at a constant temperature. You do not want it lying around for several years, then dig it out of the trunk of your car and expect great results. To always be ready, keep a disposable camera in the diaper bag to catch the photo opportunity while you are running around with your precious bundle.

Soft colors, soft light and soft textures work best when photographing babies. These take away from distracting backgrounds or clothing colors and allow the photograph to be focused on the baby. “Onesies” work well for clothing because they conform to the body and show the adorable, round shapes of the child. Don’t overlook their hands and toes. A baby’s personality is often found in these digits.

A blanket covering the baby seat will draw attention to the child, not to the busy pattern of the seat itself.

As for lighting, bright light makes babies and all other people, squint. A soft source of light by a window or under the shade of a tree works well. Morning light or sundown is a good time to photograph outside.

One very important thing to remember is baby’s schedule. The best photographs are taken when the baby is rested, well-fed, clean, etc. This involves planning. Ensure everything is gathered in advance to have a successful picture taking session. Add the baby to the equation and you are on your way to a successful photography session.

Once the photography session is completed, process the photos. I recommend picking the six best photos and order plenty of these for the family. I like to have a prewritten list of names so I won’t order more than necessary.

It is helpful to write the date on the front of the envelope that the pictures come in. Also write whether it was a special occasion, such as baby’s first steps or her special smile. Be sure to store your CDs or negatives in a dry, temperature-controlled place. Put the best photo immediately into your photo album. It can simplify your life if you keep up with the album assembly regularly.

Some families have a professional photographer as their family photographer. They keep an annual or bi-annual visit to the family photographer, just like the dentist or doctor. This is important in creating the family photo history. Be sure to find someone who has a specialty in photographing babies, children, families and even the family pet. The family photographer should make the entire family feel comfortable and make your baby look as good as she can in front of the camera.

Michael Russell Your Independent Baby Photos guide. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

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