There is currently a class action lawsuit against Playtex Products because of the use of bisphenol A (BPA). The suit claims that “Playtex failed to adequately disclose that its plastic bottle products are formulated using BPA.”

There’s been some discussion regarding some “concern” about BPA from experiments on animals, which leads people to believe that there could be possible effects on humans - hence the lawsuit.

Since there is no REAL evidence to support either argument, I guess it’s just better to use your own judgment. Personally, If I knew there were (potentially) harmful chemicals used to make my child’s bottle, I wouldn’t use it. But the again, my son seems to like Avent bottles regardless of any other type we give him, so in the end - he’’s the boss!

Simmons Kids Crib Mattresses
June 5, 2008 - About 20,000 Simmons Kids crib mattresses are recalled because some mattresses can measure less than the 27-1/4″ minimum width standard for cribs, and could allow a child to become entrapped. Pottery Barn Kids by Simmons Kids Lullaby, Simmons Kids Slumber Time Evening Star Luxury Firm, Simmons Kids Baby Mattress Series 400 and Simmons Kids Baby Mattress 234 Coil Count are possibly affected.

View model numbers, manufacture dates and instructions for measuring the mattress.

Wendy Bellissimo Hidden Hills Cribs
June 5, 2008 - About 550 Wendy Bellissimo Hidden Hills cribs sold at Babies R Us are recalled because spindle spacing may not meet federal standards and could allow a child to become entrapped. Only cribs in Navajo pine finish with model #5446-0521 printed on the bottom headboard rail are recalled.

Call 866-618-5446 for info.

Mini Chef Toy Kitchens
June 5, 2008 - About 65 Mini Chef toy kitchens sold at BabyStyle are recalled because the pegs supporting the oven and refrigerator shelves can come out, posing a choking hazard. The kitchens also can tip over, posing a risk of injury.

Stop using the toy and call 877-378-9537 for store credit.

Toy Cell Phones
May 28, 2008 - About 1 million Little Tikes toy cell phones are recalled because the plastic hinge cover can detach, posing a choking hazard. The flip-style toy phones have buttons with numbers and animal pictures on them. Toy phones with a screw visible on the hinge cover are not included in the recall.

Call 888-620-0930 for a replacement.

Read more…

I’m glad I started using these wipes and I’m never going back to anything else. My boy is glad too, I can tell by the look on his face when I use them on him. That, ‘you’re the best dad, these wipes are amazing!’ look.

First, they are way better for your child and the environment than standard baby wipes. I never imaged I would be helping the environment and making the world a safer place all while wiping my baby’s bum which by the way won’t suffer any skin irritations from these wipes. Don’t believe me? Below is some more information directly from the manufacturer:

Product Features:

• Natural baby wipes don’t contain synthetic ingredients
  that may irritate baby skin
• Chlorine-free whitening process eliminates chlorinated
  hydrocarbons from harming the environment
• Contains aloe vera, Vitamin E, and water for natural
  moisturization
• Contains no alcohol or fragrances
• Saves natural resources and makes the world a safer place

Other things I noticed about these wipes: They are smooth, very moist, and thick. So you actually can feel that these are quality wipes. There are refills available as well, since the plastic container is reusable. There is also a very convenient travel pack available for mommies and daddies on the go.

Visit www.seventhgeneration.com for more info and other Seventh Generation Products

…Summer night, white noise, thunderstorm, running stream…all music to my ears. This is just a summary of the great things the Conair SU7 has to offer. The Conair SU7 Sound Therapy Device was designed to help sooth and calm infants. How well does it work? Lets just say my son and I would be fighting over this one if he were bigger and stronger. For now, he had no choice but to share this awesomely relaxing machine with his dad.

For starters, the sound library is amazing. Everything sounds like they should with clarity I didn’t expect for only $19.99, watch out Bose. The Conair SU7 plays 10 soothing sounds. The sound options are summer night, white noise, thunderstorm, running stream, ocean waves, songbird, rainfall, tropical forest, waterfall and heartbeat. Heartbeat is my little boys favorite. This seems to relax him the most, gets him to sleep, and keeps him asleep. I’m assuming it’s because I tend to keep him close to “my heart” most of the time… *awwww*. Now remember, this is great for us parents too. I’m stuck between tropical forest and ocean waves at the moment.

I can honestly do without the clock radio built into the Conair SU7. It functions as a clock radio should but I felt it really wasn’t needed. Now if you’re looking for a sound therapy machine and you happen to need a clock, then I’m sure you’ll appreciate the clock radio more than I do. Regardless, this is a great sound machine that all parents and babies should experience, and fall asleep in the process.

I will leave you with a tip. Conair is selling the SU7 for $27.99 on their website. If you hop over to www.amazon.com, you can find it for $19.99.

Yes, your infant or toddler may be too young to understand the words, comprehend images, or even put the two together. The fact that they do not yet understand what you read to them doesn’t mean there aren’t benefits by reading to your child.

According to www.childliteracy.com, the more you read to your child the better. By reading to your child you are helping them build knowledge through their senses that are still developing.”

“The effort of focusing on pictures develops eye muscles. And each time he hears a particular word, it imprints more strongly in his brain. Think: how do our brains learn? They learn by doing. Each time your baby sees, hears, or feels anything, brain connections form. Eventually, the connections are strong enough to create a skill or a piece of knowledge”, says www.childliteracy.com.

To me, the benefits are obvious and makes a lot of sense. Additionally, reading to your child is another great way to build that parent-child bond. Reading to your baby can be fun for all and very helpful to your child’s early development. Happy reading.

A list of books to read to the little one:

• Lamaze Where’s Caterpillar
• The First Years Pooh Peek & Teethe Crinkle Book
• Sassy Soft Book - I’m a Teapot
• Sassy Soft Book- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Well, here is another great toy I wish I had when I was a kid. I remember I was given a broken telephone to play with. Good times. Anyway, Fisher Price has done it again. Fisher Price’s Laugh & Learn™ Learning Puppy™ comes with two modes of play, learning mode and music games. With music mode there are 10 fun songs for your baby to boogy to.

Learning Mode has six spots on the puppy that teaches your child body parts, ABC’s, and colors. My little one at the moment has learned chewing on the puppy’s ears can be very fun. Learning Mode uses fun songs and phrases to entertain, engage, and teach your little one.

When learning is over it’s time for fun and games. Game mode includes a counting song, color song, the alphabet song, and a body parts song. In addition there are six extra songs for continued enjoyment, boogying, and fun.

Get this toy for your child. It’s fun and you’ll enjoy watching your little one learn while enjoying delightful songs and games. Or you can enjoy watching your child chew on the ears.

**Things you should know:

• Manufacturer Recommended Age: 6 months - 3 years
• Batteries: 3 AA batteries required. (included)

**from amazon.com | Laugh & Learn™ Learning Puppy™

It has been said that babies seem to have a great response to music and voices while still in the womb. It is a fact that hearing is one of the first senses used during fetal development. As the unborn child continues to grow in the womb, the response to music and voices grow as well.

“In fetal development the auditory system forms extremely early and the ear is actually the first sensory organ to develop brain connections. And from those first weeks in the womb an infant’s ability to process sound and music only grows stronger”, says Angela England from Infant Toddler Play.

So what are the benefits of music when it comes to your baby? Research done in this field has always shown a dramatic increase in health, especially with premature babies. According to studies done in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, soothing music can lower blood pressure and stress hormones in premature babies.

“Music is a logical intervention, because it is structured and sequential. If a steady, calming rhythm and melody are introduced into an environment, it supports and encourages those in that environment to become steady and calm”, says Jan Schreibman, a music therapist at Methodist Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind.

The most important benefit, however, is the proven positive effects music can have on brain development. During the first 6 years is when the most crucial brain development takes place for your child. Music can play a big role in your child’s brain development during their younger years. The Mozart Effect is worth looking into as well, since it explains how listening to music can enhance the intellect.

**Here are a few specific pieces of music that infant’s enjoy:

• Vivaldi Flute Concerto – The Four Seasons
• Massenet - Meditation from Thais
• Bach - Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
• Beethoven – Piano Concerto 5 (The Emperor Concerto), 2nd Movement
• Brahms - Symphony No. 3, 2nd Movement
• Haydn – Cello Concerto, 2nd Movement
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 6, 2nd Movement

**List from Angela England from Infant Toddler Play

There are numerous resources out there for parents. Whether you are an expecting parent or enjoying the first several months of you child’s life, there is a large library out there for those parents looking for ways to make their baby feel as comfortable as possible and strengthen the bond between parent and child.

For those of you that do not have the time or patience to read books, you’re in luck. DVDs like Infant Massage: Power of Touch are easy to follow and offers step by step guidance on how to rid your child of discomforts through safe, gentle massaging. According to The Chicago Parents Newsmagazine, infant massaging is proven to ease digestive problems, colic, and many other annoyances that would cause your child discomfort. “Doctors worldwide have recognized the positive impact of massage on infants’ well-being”, says The Chicago Parents Newsmagazine.

Other DVDs on the subject are available and some even cover massaging for newborns, infants and toddlers. Baby Massage Therapy: Newborns, Infants, & Toddlers version2.0, is a great DVD for those parents that want to cover all three stages in the their child’s younger years. Still not convinced? Below are a few benefits that infant massaging offers:

• Improves circulation
• Enhances senses
• Fosters trust in parents
• Reduces stress

Visit this page for a full list of infant massage benefits

Organic food and products are extremely popular now, and even more so when it comes to kids. I’ve given my son organic milk since he stopped drinking formula, and although theres no real visible short term benefits, I like to think that the absence of all the hormones and chemicals found in processed food is better for him in the long run.

We’ve done some research and found a number of places for all the earth loving parents out there to find some cool organic clothing, bedding and personal care products that are perfect for your little ones:

http://www.katequinnorganics.com/

http://www.purebeginnings.com/

http://www.earthsbest.com/

http://orgbaby.com/

If anyone knows of any other interesting organic products or if you can recommend something to us, please feel free to let us know.

First of all, let me say that I will never write a positive review on a product just because the vendor asks me too. But I can honestly say that the Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat rocks! My little boy sits back there and plays with his toys, content in his car seat and enjoys the ride. Which is a huge change from his previous car seat, which for whatever reason, made him scream and cry every time we got in the car.

The real benefit is that the car seat has a weight range from 5 -33lbs (rear-facing) and 20-65lbs (front-facing) which means that at 6 (and 16lbs!) months, I can pretty much count on not having to buy another car seat for a while.

If you haven’t bought a car seat yet, or you’re in the market for a new one, I would definitely check out some the Britax options.

You can find more product details and safety info here…

BritaxUSA