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Posted by cassie on Sunday, 16 December, 2007 @ 8:39 am

Well I’ve spent an exciting 2 weeks with Anthony having a stomach virus or maybe even the flu. Unfortunately at that age group they can’t tell you exactly what is happening so it’s a guess by us and the pediatrician. I loaded my darling up with unflavored Pedialyte and light-colored Gatorade in hold off dehydration. I tried giving him tea and warm water to settle his stomach but he wouldn’t drink it. Luckily there was no vomiting but we had plenty of diarrhea and a low-grade fever. Of course, half way through him getting sick I got the virus and I got the vomiting variation. Ugh! Mine went away in approximately 36 hrs thank god and I felt good as new afterwards.

Posted by cassie on Saturday, 24 November, 2007 @ 1:05 pm

Anthony hit the big 1-5 months on the 19th and went in for his ped appointment last week. No shots since I declined them in interest of keeping a happy boy for Thanksgiving festivities. Reminder to self - bring him in for shots next week

Amazingly he only gained a whopping 6 ounces and not much in height either. 29 1/2 inches tall now. I fear he will not be on the overly tall side. But as long as he is healthy that is all I ask!

Posted by cassie on Wednesday, 7 November, 2007 @ 7:16 am

If ginger isn’t working for you (can be found at whole food stores) there are also some natural preggie pops that you can try. They have them at Babies R Us (in a 3-pk), some grocery stores and Richards. There are a few on the market but the girls at my work out class swore by them being fantastic for nausea. Here’s a link - http://www.threelollies.com/.

Posted by cassie on Monday, 22 October, 2007 @ 7:37 pm

Here is a great e-how article on how to choose teethers that don’t contain some of the chemicals that are recently banned. Of course, this can be applied to all toys since we all know that kids don’t stick with just sucking on teethers. Normally those are the first to “go out the window” in favor of chewing on something else. It also lists manufacturers that are not using phthalates. Do your research and make sure that this still holds true!

Posted by cassie on Monday, 22 October, 2007 @ 7:14 pm

In the past several days amazing articles have come out on chemicals in our children’s bodies (and of course our own). I find it amazing that people are so naive as to think that all of the cleaners, chemicals, pollutants, etc in our lives don’t effect our bodies. I’ve switched to cleaning with vinegar for 99% of everything because if my son ingests it - it won’t hurt him! And it doesn’t do me any harm either. Think about it people!

Here are some blurbs from the latest news articles, complete with links to read more. Enjoy!

Tests reveal high chemical levels in kids’ bodies

Trasande said children up to six years old are most at risk because their vital organs and immune system are still developing and because they depend more heavily on their environments than adults do.

“Pound for pound, they eat more food, they drink more water, they breathe in more air,” he said. “And so [children] carry a higher body burden than we do.” Studies on the health effects of PBDEs are only just beginning, but many countries have heeded the warning signs they see in animal studies. Sweden banned PBDEs in 1998. The European Union banned most PBDEs in 2004. In the United States, the sole manufacturer of two kinds of PBDEs voluntarily stopped making them in 2004. A third kind, Deca, is still used in the U.S. in electrical equipment, construction material, mattresses and textiles.

Another class of chemicals that showed up in high levels in the Holland children is known as phthalates. These are plasticizers, the softening agents found in many plastic bottles, kitchenware, toys, medical devices, personal care products and cosmetics. In lab animals, phthalates have been associated with reproductive defects, obesity and early puberty. But like PBDEs, little is known about what they do to humans and specifically children.

Read the rest of the article here.

Interestingly enough note the next article is out of California and it bans phthalates (which is mentioned above). Good going Governor! Let’s hope all states follow suit soon!

California Bans Hazardous Chemical in Plastic Baby Toys

SACRAMENTO, California, October 17, 2007 (ENS) - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation to prohibit the manufacturing, sale and distribution of vinyl toys and childcare products that contain phthalates designed for children under three, making California the first state in the country to ban these chemicals used in baby toys.

“We must take this action to protect our children,” said the governor. “These chemicals threaten the health and safety of our children at critical stages of their development.”

The phthalate ban was among 80 bills the governor signed Sunday to meet a midnight deadline. The ban will take effect on January 1, 2009. Several other states are expected to follow suit.

Read the rest of the article here.

Scary stuff guys. I know a lot of it can be attributed to hype since we are all a lot more aware and connected in our lives today (think old days we had the pony express now we have crackberries) which makes it easier to spread stories that may or may not be true. BUT and it’s a big but… don’t assume it is hype and do what you can to lessen your impact on your health. Buy natural products or make your own. Open up the house and let some sunshine and air in instead of burning cloying candles or spraying air fresheners. You don’t have to be crunchy-granola to take into account your health. Trust me your body will thank you

Posted by cassie on Saturday, 29 September, 2007 @ 7:38 pm

This hasn’t hit the mainstream media yet, but don’t use:

Warning Issued on Baby Colic Remedy
Source: Associated Press/AP Online
Publication date: 2007-09-21
Arrival time: 2007-09-20
WASHINGTON - Federal health authorities warned parents Thursday not to give babies a liquid herbal supplement marketed as a remedy for colic and teething pain because several bottles tested positive for a parasite that may have a sickened a 6-week-old infant in Minnesota.
Lab tests conducted by the Food and Drug Administration confirmed the presence of Cryptosporidium, a parasite that can cause diarrhea and intestinal infections, in unopened bottles of apple-flavored Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water, according to the FDA. The supplement’s distributor, MOM Enterprises of San Rafael, Calif., said it had recalled about 17,600 bottles of the product that were being sold through the Internet and at retail stores nationwide.

The Minnesota baby so far is the only person with a reported illness possibly linked to the product, which is sold in 4-ounce bottles with the code 26952V and has an expiration date of October 2008.

The FDA said that people infected with Cryptosporidium generally display symptoms within two to 10 days. The most common symptom is diarrhea, and other symptoms include dehydration, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. Health officials advised consumers to discard any of the product they have and to consult a pediatrician if it was consumed by a child who seems sick.

MOM Enterprises is offering full refunds. Consumers can call 877-457-4955 for more information.

Publication date: 2007-09-21
© 2007, YellowBrix, Inc.

Posted by cassie on Wednesday, 26 September, 2007 @ 7:01 pm

One of the little kid’s that Van plays with was recently diagnosed with Gingivostomatis. At first Jolene (her mom) thought it was simply her teething and the inevitable crankies that go along with. This was reinforced by her pediatrician but like any good parent Jolene persisted and brought Riley in anyway and come to find out - not only are her teeth driving the poor thing crazy but she also has sores all over her mouth and not one but two! good reasons to not want to eat. Poor baby.

We found this out yesterday afternoon. So now Jody (Van’s mom) is worried sick that Van accidentally picked it up from Riley and brought it the BBC group and all the kids were exposed. But eh! that happens with any kids group and I’d rather it happen from people I know than strangers (at least I know these women care for and about their kids and aren’t derelicts).

Lots of calls and emails later and we’ve decided to keep Van, Anthony and Bode out of class for the rest of the week since they are normally the 3 swapping spit via sippy cups.

Symptoms:
- bumps or sores inside the mouth on the gums, tongue and throat. Side effects also include loss of appetite. There is no fever, so unless they get the bumps, there is no way to tell if they have the germ.

To learn more about this disease, BabyCenter has a write up on it. Click here for more info.

(Excerpt) One way to  temporarily ease the pain is to dip a cotton swab in a one-to-one mixture of a liquid antacid (such as Maalox or Mylanta) and liquid children’s antihistamine (such as Benadryl), and gently coat the inside of your toddler’s mouth with the solution. The combination of these two over-the-counter medicines will coat and soothe the sores.  In severe cases, your doctor may recommend adding a prescription medicine to the mix.

Please bear in mind nothing I say above is a professionals opinion in anyway, only thoughts and views of other parents. If you think your child may have this disease please consult their pediatrician and follow their advice.

Posted by cassie on Saturday, 25 August, 2007 @ 8:11 pm

Normally the saying goes a penny for your thoughts but not any more! I received this in an email from my grandma and cannot vouch for it but thought I’d pass it along for the summertime blues of being stung. Let me know if it works or if you have any suggestions on homemade remedies!

Finally, a use for our pennies!! Be sure to tell you children and grandchildren about the ‘cure’. For 15 min. it’s worth it!!

BEE/HORNET CURE:
A couple of weeks ago I was unfortunate enough to get stung by both a bee and hornet while working in the garden. My arm swelled up so, off to the doctor I went. The clinic gave me cream and an antihistamine. The next day the swelling was getting progressively worse so off to my regular doctor I went…infected arm. Needed an antibiotic. The interesting thing is what the Doctor told me… “The next time you get stung put a penny on the bite for 15 minutes.”

That night my niece go stung by two bees when she came over to swim. I looked at her bite and it had already started to swell. So off I went to get my money and taped a penny to her arm for 15 minutes. The next morning there was no sign of a bite. We were very surprised but figured perhaps she just wasn’t allergic to the sting. Then on Saturday night I was helping my niece deadhead her flowers and guess what? I got stung again by a hornet, twice on my left hand. I was so distressed, thinking I would have to go to the doctor for yet another antibiotic. I went into the house and got my money out, and taped two pennies to my bites, then sat and sulked for 15 minutes. The penny took the sting out of the bit immediately. I still wasn’t sure what was going to happen. In the meantime the hornets were attacking my niece and she got stung on the thumb. Out came another penny. The next morning I could only see a micro spot where I had been stung. No redness, no swelling. I went to see my niece and hers was the same. I couldn’t even see where she got stung!

The Doctor said that somehow the copper in the penny counteracts the bite. I would never have believed it. But it DEFINITELY WORKS! So remember this little bit of wisdom, keep a stock of pennies on hand at school and home.

Posted by cassie on Thursday, 16 August, 2007 @ 8:27 pm

Bibs sold at Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores may contain unsafe levels of lead. After three studies and much discussion, there have been no recalls of the vinyl bibs. The offending bibs are decorated with baseball bats, soccer balls, and Winnie the Pooh characters and cost under $5 each from store brand labels including Especially for Baby and Koala Baby. The lead tests done for the Center for Environmental Health found levels as high as 1,800 parts per million in the Toys “R” Us bibs — three times the amount allowed in lead paint.

However, based on two other tests which found lower amounts of lead in the bibs, it is believed that unless the bib was ripped, it would not be unhealthy. Officials from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which regulates children’s products, concluded that even if infants had the bibs in their mouths all day, not enough lead would leach into their blood system to cause harm.

But Patrick MacRoy, director of the Chicago lead poisoning prevention program, and other health officials and children’s advocates argue that the C.P.S.C. uses an antiquated standard for what level of lead in a child’s blood stream represents a hazard. When combined with lead from other sources, including perhaps lead-based paint in an old house or lead-contaminated jewelry, the bibs could still result in poisoning or neurological damage in a child. As a result many environmental and health groups have urged parents to stop buying bibs that have even modest levels of lead.

Posted by cassie on Wednesday, 15 August, 2007 @ 8:22 pm

As I’m sure all of you have heard there are a ton more Mattel recalls occurring at the moment. I wish companies would get their act together and start producing more items in America again. I mean hey! help our economy out would ya.

Additional Reports of Magnets Detaching from Polly Pocket Play Sets Prompts Expanded Recall by Mattel

Various Polly Pocket dolls and accessories with magnets have been recalled because small magnets inside the dolls and accessories can come loose. The magnets can be found by young children and swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.

The recalled Polly Pocket play sets contain plastic dolls and accessories that have small magnets. The magnets measure 1/8 inch in diameter and are embedded in the hands and feet of some dolls, and in the plastic clothing, hairpieces and other accessories to help the pieces attach to the doll or to the doll’s house. The model number is printed on the bottom of the largest pieces on some of the play sets. Products manufactured after November 1, 2006 and are currently on store shelves are not included in this recall. Contact Mattel if you cannot find a model number on your product to determine if it is part of the recall. Sold at: Toy stores and various other retailers from May 2003 through November 2006 for between $15 and $30. Consumers should immediately take these recalled toys away from children and contact Mattel to receive a voucher for a replacement toy of the customer’s choice, up to the value of the returned product. See full list of recalled toys here.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Mattel toll-free at (888) 597-6597 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.service.mattel.com

Mattel Recalls Doggie Day Care™ Magnetic Toys Due to Magnets Coming Loose

About 1 million Doggie Day Care™ play sets have been recalled because Small magnets inside the toys can fall out. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.

H1532 Doggie Day Care Coco

H1533 Doggie Day Care Sparley

G4461 Doggie Day Care Lula and Baby

G4462 Doggie Day Care Crockett and Baby

G4464 Doggie Day Care Taffy and Baby

G4459 Doggie Day Care Snack Time with Cookie

G4460 Doggie Day Care Diaper Change with Ginger

H1530 Doggie Day Care Ice Cream with Ranger

G9703 Doggie Day Care Puppy Park with Dixie

G4457 Doggie Day Care Dream House Nursery with Honey

G4458 Doggie Day Care Bath Time with Beau

Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Mattel to receive a free replacement toy. Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Mattel toll-free at (888) 597-6597 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.service.mattel.com

Mattel Recalls Barbie and Tanner™ Magnetic Toys Due to Magnets Coming Loose

Barbie and Tanner™ play sets have been recalled because mall magnet inside the “scooper” accessory can come loose. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal. The recall involves Barbie and Tanner™ play sets — model numbers J9472 and J9560. The toys include a “scooper” accessory with a magnetic end. Recalled scoopers have a visible, silver-colored, disc-shaped magnet on the end of the scooper. Scoopers with a white material covering the magnet and products manufactured after January 31, 2007 are not recalled. Sold at: Toy stores and various other retailers nationwide May 2006 to August 2007 for about $16.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Mattel to receive a free replacement toy. Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Mattel toll-free at (888) 597-6597 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.service.mattel.com

Mattel Recalls Batman™ and One Piece™ Magnetic Action Figure Sets Due To Magnets Coming Loose

Batman™ and One Piece™ magnetic action figure sets have been recalled because small, powerful magnets inside the accessories of the toy figures can fall out and be swallowed or aspirated by young children. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attract inside the body and cause intestinal perforation, infection or blockage which can be fatal.

The recalled Batman™ toys include:

* The Batman™ Magna Battle Armor™ Batman™ figure with model number J1944

* The Batman™ Magna Fight Wing™ Batman™ figure with model number J1946

* The Batman™ Secret ID™ figure with model number J5114

* The Batman™ Flying Fox™ figure with model number J5115

The seven inch tall action figures include the Batman logo on the front and include magnetic accessories. The model number is located on the lower right corner of the tag which is sewn to the figure. The recalled One Piece™ toy is: * One Piece™ Triple Slash Zolo Roronoa™ figure with model number J4142. The 5 ½ inch tall action figure has green hair, black pants, and has magnets in his hands which connect to magnets on various swords that the figure can hold. The model number is printed on the back of the action figure’s left leg.

Sold at: Discount department stores and toy stores nationwide from June 2006 through June 2007 for about $11. Consumers should immediately stop using the toy and contact Mattel for instructions on how to return it to receive a free replacement toy. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Mattel toll-free (888) 597-6597 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.service.mattel.com