Sunday, September 30, 2007

Send In Your Best Parenting Tips

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Don't forget to send us your favorite parenting tips. We're getting some good ones in already. We'll compile a Top 10 list and each winner will receive a Phonics 4 Babies: Babies First Words DVD.

Just send an email to jennifer@babyblogaddict.com with your best parenting tip along with your name and address (so we can mail the DVD to you if you make our top 10 list) by October 17th. For more details, check out our September 20th post.

Today's Headlines

>> World's smallest surviving baby...
>> How to succeed at breast-feeding...
>> Born minutes apart, but not twins...

Saturday, September 29, 2007

FDA: No Cold Medicines For Toddlers

Very young children simply should not take some commonly used cold and cough medicines, federal health officials say in recommending that the "consult your physician" advice to parents on the labels be dropped.

The preliminary recommendation, from Food and Drug Administration safety officials, would apply to decongestant use in children under 2, and antihistamines in those younger than 6.

The FDA has not made a final decision on any label changes. Action is likely, pending a recommendation from outside experts.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Target Recall

Another violation of the lead paint standard. This time Target recalls the Happy Giddy Gardening Tools and the Sunny Patch Children’s Chairs that were sold at their stores nationwide from August 2006 through August 2007.

Consumers should immediately take the products away from children and return the item to the nearest Target store for a full refund.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Bumbo Under Government Investigation

If you have a child under two years old, you probably own a Bumbo or know someone who does. This investigation may encourage you to change the way you use your Bumbo to ensure your baby's safety. It's definitely worth checking out the story.

Today's Headlines

>> Parents rate the first grin as their happiest moment...
>> Couple finally brings home baby after 23 years of marriage...
>> 'Family Ties' Actress Yothers Has Baby...
>> Singer Charlotte Church names baby girl Ruby...
>> "Dancing With the Stars" co-host delivers baby girl...

Monday, September 24, 2007

Warm-Mist vs. Cool-Mist Humidifier

When my son was sick with a cold last year, I assumed that a warm-mist humidifier would be best. So I was surprised to hear his pediatrician's recommendation of a cool-mist humidifier. After hearing her reasoning, it made perfect sense. The warm and cool-mist are equally effective, but the cool-mist is the safer choice for children, because children can burn themselves with the warm-mist.

A couple of weeks ago, I saw first-hand what a warm-mist humidifier can do. Our 10-month-old neighbor had a bandaged hand due to a burn from the warm-mist. I realized then that it would be good to spread the word, because these burns can be easily prevented by just knowing what humidifier to register for or buy from the beginning. I went with the Vick's Cool-Mist Humidifier.

Check out what Mayo Clinic pediatrician Jay Hoecker, M.D has to say.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Today's Headlines

>> Cubs fans name baby boy Wrigley Fields...
>> Blizzard brings an avalanche of babies...
>> Charlotte Church gives birth to baby girl...
>> Salma Hayek delivers baby girl...
>> Tiny baby shows big blessings...

Simplicity Cribs Recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing a voluntary recall with Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., of about 1 million cribs. The drop-side can detach from the crib, which can create a dangerous gap and lead to the entrapment and suffocation of infants. CPSC is aware of two deaths, seven infant entrapments and 55 incidents in these cribs.

The recalled Simplicity crib models include: Aspen 3 in 1, Aspen 4 in 1, Nursery-in-a-Box, Crib N Changer Combo, Chelsea and Pooh 4 in 1. The recall also involves the following Simplicity cribs that used the Graco logo: Aspen 3 in 1, Ultra 3 in 1, Ultra 4 in1, Ultra 5 in 1, Whitney and the Trio.

Baby's Bliss Gripe Water Recalled

FDA Warning: Baby's Bliss Gripe Water May Be Contaminated. This product is marketed as a remedy for "colic, hiccups, and teething." The FDA said that bottles of Baby's Bliss Gripe Water might be contaminated with a parasite that causes severe diarrhea.

Suspected contaminated products carry the code "26952V" with an expiration date of October 2008 (shown as "10/08") on the label, according to the press release. Consumers should dispose of the unopened bottles of the product immediately, the FDA said.

Friday, September 21, 2007

We were having problems with the editor@babyblogaddict.com email address for contest submissions, so try to enter again. Send your name, mailing address and best parenting tip to jennifer@babyblogaddict.com this time.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

WIN a DVD from Baby Blog Addict

We're giving away TEN copies of the new Phonics 4 Babies: Baby’s First Words DVD.

Send your name, mailing address and your Best Parenting Tip to jennifer@babyblogaddict.com. We'll compile a Top 10 list from your entries. If your tip makes it into the top 10, you win a DVD. It's that easy.

The contest ends October 17th, so send in your entries over the next month. Feel free to send in as many parenting tips as you'd like, but you can only make the Top 10 list once and only win one DVD per address.

About the Phonics 4 Babies DVD:

Join Mallory Lewis as she introduces your child to the first 300 key words and phrases which will be a springboard for all speech. Your child will have fun with Giggles and the rest of the Tummy Tots in a magical world full of playful puppets, sing-along songs and phonics fun as they learn new words including “Hello”, “Goodbye”, “Please” and “Thank You”.

Developed in Association with prominent clinical advisors from UCLA, speech pathologists and child educators, “Phonics 4 Babies” is designed specifically to engage babies and toddlers in early speech skills. It’s unique blend of music and entertainment will introduce your child to vowel and consonant formation, letter and shape identification, counting games, basic manners and more that will unlock their imagination like never before.

Watch a clippet of "Please and Thank You" from the DVD.

Cafe Press: Your Baby's Name in Print

Cafe Press offers custom items for almost anything imaginable. Go to cafepress.com and search your child's name to see what's available.













How about these cute designs for Emma and Gavin. There are so many designs to choose from and each design can be put on so many different things - shirts, bibs, bags and even wall clocks.

You can even take the customization a step farther by choosing a blank canvas and creating your own custom products with your own photos or images. And there's no minimum order, so you can get just one if you want.

The options are endless - custom Halloween or Christmas shirts, nursery decor, gifts for baby showers and birthdays, custom gifts for grandparents and I'm sure you can think of many more.

PBK Sale

Pottery Barn Kids is having a sale on their baby clothing. Stock up now for your own babies for this year or next and for adorable baby gifts.

I bought this one piece for my son when he was about 6 months old and it was adorable. Right now it's on sale for just $8.99. Check out all the cute stuff.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

No One Needs Thousands of Baby Photos

Here's a link to a really interesting column and one that speaks to so many of us baby bloggers, including me. Here are some snippets:

You see this all the time. People at the zoo, at ball games, at parks and concerts and parties and restaurants, everywhere really -- and they spend more time setting up photos and taking photos and checking out the images of the photos than living in the moment.

Go through an "old" photo album from as recently as 10 or 15 years ago, and most if not all of the pictures are commemorating special events...Now we take pictures of EVERYTHING...In a way that's kinda neat...Sometimes our best memories are centered on some simple moment that meant the world to us.

Even if you have the most adorable baby in the universe -- and I'm sure you DO have the most adorable baby in the universe -- you do not need 6,500 photos of that child's first nine months of existence. Put the camera down. Live the moment. And learn to trust your memories.

Today's Headlines

>> Toddler 911 Call: 'Momma Owie'
>> Kentucky Mother Delivers Baby In Parking Lot
>> Sleep trouble not an inevitable part of pregnancy

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Halloween Costumes

Halloween is so much fun because you get to dress your little ones in costume. Our son Jack was only two weeks old for his first Halloween and he was a Chili Pepper. To this day, he is still known as a "Little Chili Pepper" to some.

There are so many costume options out there. You may even want to go with a theme for the whole family. Here are some sites with cute costumes:

Once you decide on a costume, google it so you can find the best online deal. You may be able to get a better deal than the site you found it on or it may come in different styles and in a different thickness that would work better for your climate. Don't forget to check the shipping charges too. Sometimes a website offers a better price on the costume, but the shipping is outrageous; but some sites offer free shipping.

Website Spotlight: Babies with Glasses

Babies with Glasses is a site for families of babies, infants and kids with glasses to exchange information, share experiences and get advice.

They offer a forum, a shop with great designs to let your little one tell the world their glasses are real and even a monthly baby with glasses contest.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Lowering Your Crib Mattress

Just a bit of advice...when you decide it's time to lower the crib mattress because your baby is pulling up in the crib, lower it all at once. In other words, don't do all that work to lower it just one notch, because you will probably be lowering it again within the next two weeks. So, save yourself some time and effort by lowering it to the bottom notch the first time around.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Blogs are the New "Baby Book"

Check out this great blog entry on "The Baby Blog" by Jennifer Howard. I'm sure all of you can relate to what she says about blogs being the new baby book.

She writes:

..."The Baby Blog" has become a virtual baby book and more, highlighting more milestones than her bound baby book could ever hold.

...I read several mommy blogs each day...I don't know any of these women or their families, yet I feel like I know everything about them.

...And though I don't know these women, I have cried my eyes out, peed my pants laughing and been angry enough to spit bullets with them. I can relate to their stories, look forward to similar happenings in my life and thank God I'm not them when something goes beyond wrong. I look to these women for support, advice and a friend.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Infant Photos More About Features

For years professional photographers offered portraits with a limited number of multicolored mottled backgrounds, cutesy props and fancy outfits. But now other options are available.

Black-and-white photography is the reigning style. Studios have eliminated their busy backgrounds, props are rarely used and babies wear only a diaper. Or they're naked. "The focus is on the baby..."

Check out this article and scroll down for trends, prices, tips and rethinking photos by age.

Today's Headlines

>> New Mothers Rattled By Baby Nightmares...
>> Babies Should See the Dentist Within 6 Months of First Tooth...
>> Casey Affleck, Summer Phoenix Expecting Baby...
>> Paris Makes Baby Announcement for Aguilera...

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Brushing Toddlers' Teeth

Does anyone have suggestions for brushing toddlers' teeth when they want nothing to do with it?

I've heard of using a kids battery toothbrush like this one. Any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments section or on our forum.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

World's Hairiest Baby?

All parents like their babies to be the center of attention – but that won't be a problem for one couple, who think they may have the world's hairiest newborn.

Heads turn whenever two-month-old Katie-Lee is pushed down the street by her parents because of her shocking hair.

Presidential Greeting

When our son was born, we sent in a request to The White House Greetings Office with the hope that he would be welcomed to the U.S. population with open arms. The card, signed by President and Mrs. Bush, arrived a short time later. Anyone interested in bringing some extra joy to their child's life can sign up for a White House greeting here. But be warned: "The White House Greetings Office handles as many requests as possible, in accordance with a set of long-standing guidelines." I guess we should consider ourselves fortunate.

Today's Headlines

>> New Parents' Age Drives Baby Massage Boom
>> Halle Berry is Expecting Her First Child
>> Gisele Bundchen's Baby Gift

Monday, September 3, 2007

Labor Day Lazies...

While you're sitting around checking hundreds of baby blogs to feed your addiction on this Labor Day, why not take a moment to send in your addiction stories, pictures of your babies or your location in the Addict Nation.

Send it all to editor@babyblogaddict.com. Many others have come forward and admitted their problem, now it's your turn!

The different sections mentioned above can be found down the right side of the page under "Addict Links."

Baby-Proofing Spotlight

>> The challenges of baby-proofing your home...
>> Tips on baby-proofing for the first 12 months...
>> Baby-proofing guide for different rooms...
>> Moms' 20 best baby-proofing tips...
>> Baby-proofing 101...
>> Baby-proofing your marriage...

Video: Baby "Blood"


Sunday, September 2, 2007

BBA is Moving!

The Baby Blog Addict World Headquarters is in the process of moving from Mobile to Orlando. Daily updates will probably be a little thin for the next couple of weeks, but we'll be back to full strength soon. Thanks for bearing with us.

Website Spotlight: Sweet Bowtique

Sweet Bowtique offers infant and toddler bows in a variety of different styles and colors. Let her know that you saw Sweet Bowtique featured on Baby Blog Addict and she'll offer you a special price!

Scroll down and check out the right side of the page for all of our Website Spotlights.

Baby Expenses

Begin with $100 a month for diapers, another $125 for baby formula and about $175 a month for new baby clothes. Then keep adding up the expenses from there.

Here are some more resources that run down the costs of raising a baby.

Sextuplets Born

Florida's first sextuplets were born last night in Tampa. Five boys and one girl, all healthy, came into the world within three minutes of each other.