Parenting Children

My mother delivered me by C-section because I was breech. I had a c-section with my twins because baby A, my son, was breech also. Now a new study, published in the March 28 edition of the British Medical Journal says that If one or both parents were born bottom first or feet first their children are twice as likely to be born the same way.

Most babies are born head first, but about one in 20 is born bottom first. The gene is as strong through the father as the mother. Finding out if the parents were born or presented in a breech presentation is important because a considerable number of breech presentations are not detected before labor. Breech delivery is dangerous because the largest parts of the baby, the head and shoulders should pass first so the rest of the baby can be born. If the head or shoulders cannot fit through the birth canal there is a high rate of mortality.

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One things that all parents have to do when they have a baby is baby proof their home. Whether it is taking kick knacks down from the coffee table or nailing everything down in the entire house, baby proofing is very important. Some people start baby proofing the minute the baby is born, others wait until they become mobile. There are now even companies who will come to your house and tell you what you need to baby proof and even help you do it.

Do you need someone come out and tell you what and how to baby proof? No, but if you are a busy couple or know nothing about babies and what they are capable of getting into, this might be the route for you. Some companies charge nothing for a household consultation and others can cost a few hundred dollars. If you are interested in hiring a company to come out and evaluate your home, go to iafcs.com for a list of baby proofers across the country. Make sure you ask for references.

If you want to do it yourself there are a few things that every house hold can do to make their house safer for baby.
Make sure all outlets are covered.
Make sure sharp edges of tables, counters or doorways are covered.
Don’t leave knick knacks or sharp objects on tables or low counter tops.
Use baby gates everywhere there are stairs including outside.
Get a gate or fence installed around your pool and never leave standing water where a baby can reach it even outside in a bucket. Get locks for all the doors in your home, especially the bathroom.

For more tips on how and what to baby proof check out these sites.

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Once again caffeine intake is being linked to miscarriage. A new study says that caffeine drinking can increase the risk of miscarriage. Caffeine is any form is what is dangerous it doesn’t matter if it comes from tea, soda chocolate or coffee.

According to the January issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology woman who ingest greater than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day, have double the risk of miscarriage than women that don’t have any caffeine. The study looked at 1,063 women from San Francisco; they were interviewed at an average of 10 weeks’ gestation. During the study period, 16 percent of the women, 172, had miscarriages and 60% of the woman said they had up to 200 milligrams of caffeine a day.
“Caffeine, the most frequently consumed drug in the world, crosses the placental barrier and reaches the developing fetus, according to the study. While previous studies have found an association between caffeine intake and miscarriage, it hadn’t been clear whether the problem was due to the caffeine or another substance in coffee, or if it had something to do with non-coffee drinkers’ lifestyles — perhaps people who didn’t drink coffee ate more fruits and vegetables, for example.”

Other known risks of miscarriage smoking, a history of previous miscarriage, drug use, alcohol use and more. Although they have stats saying that 60-80% of miscarriages are because of genetic defect doctors still say to stay away from or at least limit the amount of caffeine pregnant woman intake, at least for the first three months.

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When I found out I was having boy/girl twins I was so excited. Not only did I get to buy baseball mitts, overalls and cars but I got to buy pretty hair bows, dolls and jewelry. My daughter has jewelry, but no earrings yet because I was too chicken to get her ears pierced as a baby.
There are many reasons parents decide to have their daughter’s ears pierced. There are family traditions, cultural traditions, or for gender identity.
Ear piercing a baby has always been the subject of a controversy. Should you pierce their ears when they are young so they don’t remember the pain? Or should your child make their own decision when they get older?

My friend who has a one year old daughter decided to pierce her baby’s ears when she was just five months old. “I wanted to make sure everyone knew she was a girl, so I really did it for gender recognition” she said. Her pediatrician was fully on board with piercing anytime after the baby reached three months old and she did it safely in his office.
Of course there are health and safety concerns that you should consider with ear piercing:

Infection: This is the most common problem with any piercing. Make sure that the equipment being used is sterile, that the posts are clean and new, that the posts are 14K gold or hypo-allergenic stainless steel, and that the earrings are not too tight onto the earlobe. It is important to clean the ear with rubbing alcohol daily to prevent infection.

Choking: Of course earrings are not permanent so they can become loose and even fall out. Anything this small can pose a choking hazard to a baby. Make sure the earrings you get have a special baby proof backing that is very hard to remove easily.

Injury: You don’t want your baby pulling on the earring or ear and hurting herself. Make sure you only use stud earring until your child is much older, hoops are too easily entangled in clothing or hair and easy to pull on.

This is a decision that is one that should be made by both parents. Many feel that doing it early in life is easier for the child. We are going to let our daughter decide when she is ready to get her ears pierced. We will all go and celebrate with her as a family, like I did with my parents. I am excited to share this developmental milestone with her and to add to her jewelry collection for her “big girl ears”!

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My kids are very lucky and have no known food allergies. My husband’s father is allergic to seafood so we waited until our kids were three to introduce fish and they have never had a reaction. Since I have been pregnant I have eaten a ton of candy, which is what happens when you gestate through Halloween. Most of that candy had nuts in them which I never thought about until one day when it realized to me that maybe me eating all of those nuts may give my unborn baby a nut allergy. It wasn’t something my doctor told me to stay away from, but I remember that advice from other moms.

According to a new guidance report for pediatricians, in the January issue of the journal Pediatrics, I have nothing to be scared of. The only sure fire way to prevent allergies, food allergies and wheezing is to breastfeed your children. The report says:
-There is no convincing evidence that women who avoid peanuts or other foods during pregnancy or breast-feeding lower their child’s risk of allergies.
-For infants with a family history of allergies, breast-feeding for at least four months can lessen the risk of rashes and allergy to cow’s milk.
-There is some evidence for feeding hypoallergenic formulas to susceptible babies if they are not solely breast-fed.

Surprisingly to me, they say there is no convincing evidence that delaying the introduction of foods such as eggs, fish or peanut butter to children prevents allergies. They also state that infants should not get solid food before 4 to 6 months of age, just like pediatricians tell us.

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This week New Jersey government voted on a bill to require all children to be vaccinated with the flu vaccine. The bill was approved by the Public Health Council but still needs to be approved by the State Health Commissioner. NJ would be the first state to make this vaccine mandatory. What makes this bill so infuriating to me is that these vaccines contain formaldehyde and 25 micrograms of thimersol (mercury) per dose! The vaccinating of even this small amount of mercury repeatedly year after year from multiple vaccines can cause brain damage.
What happens when there is a flu vaccine “shortage” like they have every year and you can’t get the vaccine for your children? Do they not get enrolled into school?

Now Merck has voluntarily recalled about 1.2 million doses of its Hib (Haemophilus influenzae Type B) vaccines because they may not have been fully sterilized. During testing, Merck found certain bacteria in their vaccine manufacturing equipment, but not in the vaccine themselves. The Hib vaccine is recommended for all children under 5 and is usually given in a three-shot series, starting at 2 months old.

Here is a quote from Dr. Furhman, from the Eat to Live book on these mandatory vaccines that are popping up:
“It seems that lawmakers do not understand that freedom should include freedom from forced medications for ourselves and our children. The fact that we grant religions the right to do anything, but if not under a religious umbrella, those with strong science-based, philosophical-based or strong-personal belief get no such rights, I think this is unconscionable”

Even if you support all vaccines for children, you have to be concerned about the amount of vaccines that are to be administered to children. I would love to hear from you, what do you think about the safety and amount of vaccines required for our children?

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I have had many emails asking me how can parents know if their child’s toys are safe, so I decided to write some tips you can look for when you are buying toys. Chances are if you have older kids, their hand-me-down toys are not all safe. Since babies and young children put everything in their mouths, you may want to replace your toys. You can check on the manufacturer’s web site to see if they were recalled. This web site also has a list of recently recalled toys you can check out.

The paint on your child’s toys probably have volatile organic compounds (VOC). Check for toys that have water-based paint with low VOC or ones with no VOC paints. They will say so on the box!
Cheap plastic toys are cheap for a reason, they are almost always made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Sippy cups, teethers and baby dolls are almost always made with this material. PVC contains phthalates which has been linked to cancer and hormonal problems. Look for PVC free toys.

Try wooden toys. Not only are blocks and building systems fun for kids of all ages, if you buy non treated wood, it is safe for your children to put in their mouth (watch out for splinters!). These toys can be more expensive but try buying them on Ebay or craiglist, or find a relative or friend that has older kids and would be willing to give you their old toys.

You can always check out this website for more information on being green in your home.

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Part one was safe gift ideas for girls, and now we have some boy themed ideas. All of these are safe toys that are lead free and most are made in the USA.

Have a train lover on your hands? Why not take a stroll down memory lane and get these trolleys you may remember from Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. They can also be personalized!

If you have someone at home that loves to build or loves blocks this log cabin set would be perfect. When built, this 120 piece Woodlinks set is large enough to play with your toy animals or farm gear.

My son loves all superheroes but Spiderman is his favorite. Here is a Spiderman game for kids seven and up. Battle between good and evil!

This is a starter remote control dinosaur for your dino lovers three and up. Just press the button and talk into the remote to hear your T-Rex speak, or use the controls to make T-Rex spin and move. This is a must have for $19.99!

Do you need decorating ideas for your boy’s room? This is a racetrack for any age to enjoy. It comes with toy cars to race on it. Play with your toy cars on it or just build a room theme, this is so original.

Have you heard of Zome toys? Make buildings or spheres as big as your imagination. I think I would love these.

We got this marshmallow shooter for our 12 year old nephew for his birthday and he loved it. It shoots over 30 feet, is safe but should still be used outdoors. It holds up to 20 marshmallows for rapid fire shooting. I have to say it was hard to pry away from my big kid (my husband). It is reasonably priced at $23.00.

What are your favorite picks for the boys on your holiday list this year?

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I don’t know any parents or grandparents that are not concerned about toy safety this holiday season. It is on all of our minds and with over 80% of our toys being made in China, I can see why. You have to be careful of small parts, age requirements, lead paint and now GHB in our toys? During the month of December I will be reviewing and bring your ideas for kids this holiday season that are safe for both kids and babies.
Today I have ideas for the girls on your list.

My daughter loves watching me get ready for the day. She is fascinated with everything on my vanity and loves everything girly. Why not this wooden makeup playset for the little diva on your list? Made in Germany, this set includes a comb, 1 spray, 1 mirror, 1 lipstick, 1 roll-on deodorant, 1 hair dryer and 6 hair-curlers.

Little girls would love these Mary Jane rain boots. Perfect for slush, rain or a sunny day, these are adorable and affordable at $27.00.

A pram for your little one will be her best gift. It has rubber wheels, removable blue flowered fluffy cushions, blanket and a adjustable handle to grow with your child. This is pricey at $144.00 but can be a family heirloom.

I also recommend books for older girls, games for school age children and there is always stories on cds for kids.

Coming soon, safe gifts for boys this season!

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Not surprising, more toys and baby recalls came down today.
Boppy Covers:
About 38,000 Boppy pillow slipcovers imported by The Boppy Company of Golden, Colo. The zipper pull on the slipcovers can break and pose a choking hazard to young children. In addition, paint on the zippers may contain excess levels of lead. The slipcovers were sold nationwide at discount department stores from July 2006 through September 2007. Call the The Boppy Company (888-713-3916) for a free replacement.
Pacifiers:
About 8,000 flashing pacifiers or 2-in-1 flashing pacifiers with whistle necklaces. The nipple of the pacifiers can detach from the base and pose a choking hazard to young children. The pacifiers were sold nationwide in June 2007 for about $5 per dozen. Consumers should throw away the pacifiers or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, contact Sailing (U.S.) at 800-643-6134.
Bracelets:
About 43,000 Sparkle City charm bracelets and tack pin sets that contain high levels of lead. The charm bracelets and tack pin sets were distributed by Buy-Rite Designs Inc. and sold at Big Lots stores nationwide from August 2005 through April 2007 for about $1. For more information, contact Buy-Rite at 888-777-7952.

There was also a Graco snugride car seat recall the other day. You can read about it here. You can see other recent toy and baby gear recalls in my archives or on www.reviewingbabygear.com.

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I have recently wrote about all the toy and baby gear recalls and how frustrating it has made me, and I am sure I am not the only Mom. When the Fisher Price recalls came out I sat and thought about all the Dora and Diego toys I had that were being recalled, hundreds of dollars worth of toys. I found out later that my toys were not effected because they were purchased before the recall dates. I was not that relieved.
I sat in my children’s playroom and looked at all the toys that could be dangerous for my children; Thomas trains, plastic food for their kitchen, superhero dolls, dress up jewelry and baby dolls.
What was I to do?

Now that Christmas is coming up I am really reevaluating what I have in my house already and what I need. I am compiling lists of websites that only sell toys made in the USA. I am suggesting clothes, books or savings bonds instead of toys for family to give them. I am trying to buy handmade items for people on my list.
With a new baby on the way I have thrown out my Avent bottles and I am researching safer bottles, bibs and baby gear.

Maybe this was my wakeup call that my kids have too much, that we all have too much. The simple toys, blocks, puzzles books, arts & crafts and games are usually the best anyway. Does my daughter really need a life size Barbie? Does my son need 1000 Thomas trains?
The answer is no.

I hope you will join me in the fight to make our children’s toys safer, you can start here.
I hope you will try to buy handmade items or make them yourself this holiday season. I hope that someday soon I can buy something for my baby or preschoolers and not have to research it for weeks first, or find out it was recalled a week later.
I hope all of our children are safe.

What are you doing to keep your kids safe this holiday season?

This post was for a Parent Bloggers Network blog blast “get the lead out”.
Check out the Consumers Union to learn more and take action!

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I am on the fence about vaccinations. I have written about them before and although I do vaccinate my children, I do it on my own schedule and I always have. I wish I lived in a state that let me pick which vaccinations to omit, but New Jersey is a all or nothing state like twenty seven others that only let you waive vaccinations if your religion dictates so.
My children get ONE vaccination at a time and I will delay some vaccinations. I finally found a pediatrician that not only supports me in doing so, but does not lecture me on the “safety” of vaccinations and hand me a piece of paper from the AMA.

I, just like any other parent, want to do what is right and healthy of my children. If you give them 4 shots in a single office visit, if that child has a reaction to the vaccines, how will you know which one gave her the reaction or which she is allergic to? That alone is enough reason to give one vaccine per visit.

I have read many books and web sites that are pro and anti-vaccine. I find some of it very important, and some just confuse me more.
The single best book, in my opinion, out there today that is about vaccines just came on the market. It is called The Vaccine Book by R. Sears. It is neither a pro or anti vaccination book. it simply tells you about each vaccine that your child gets, what is in them, what the possible side effects are and how to treat them. It allows you to make your own informed decision about these drugs we are putting into our own and your children’s bodies. It is an open minded book that I will recommend to any parent.

Have you read this book, if so waht do you think about it? Do you read about the vaccines that are given to your children or do you trust your doctor enough to go on their schedule?

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I am really about to take all of my children’s toys away and give them cardboard boxes to play with, after all of these toy/baby gear and clothing recalls. Cardboard boxes are probably toxic anyway!
Now, a Chinese-made toy was ordered off store shelves in Australia after tests showed that had a chemical that converts into the “date rape” drug, gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB) when ingested.

Over the past two weeks, three children in Australia had to be hospitalized after they swallowed beads from Bindeez. Bindeez are a very popular toy in Australia and they are beads that can be arranged into designs and then fused together by spraying water on them. However, scientists found that the beads contain a chemical that humans metabolize into GHB, which can cause drowsiness, unconsciousness, seizures, coma and death!
Now aquadots a popular toy here in North America, is also being recalled. This was a toy my daughter was asking for Christmas! This is the same toy just manufactured under a different name in Australia.
What are you doing about all of these recalls?

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I never realized how much keeping my children safe would be on my mind when I became a parent. It is the number one thing on any parents mind, but it seems like every news show I put on, or every magazine has something dedicated to a abducted child. According to www.kidsave.com seventy five percent of all abductions are committed by a family member or friend of the family. So maybe we should be talking to our kids about stranger abductions as well as if a acquaintance tried to take them.
Here are some tips to keep your kids safe:

The Buddy System- never be alone or in a position that anyone could take them without anyone seeing. Walk home with a friend, go to the park in a group etc.
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If you are a parent then by now I am sure you heard of the dangers of plastics in baby bottles, sippy cups and everything else. What parents don’t want their children exposed to is bisphenol-A, a plastic softener used in the production of polycarbonate plastic very commonly used in baby bottles and cups. I am also trying to purge my drawers of plastic food containers and replace them with glass ones since I am not aware of any bisphenol-A free ones yet.
You can find out why this chemical is so terrible for you, or your unborn baby or your children here.
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