Day Care's New Frontier: Baby At Your Desk

More than 80 companies across the nation allow babies in the workplace, according to Parenting in the Workplace Institute in Framingham, Mass., which says that number is likely to be low. It's an extreme — and controversial — example of how employers are seeking more ways to help workers strike a balance between work and the rest of their lives.

Remember our BBA post about "Paid Maternity Leave" and how the U.S. is behind the rest of the industrialized world? Maybe if the United States had a better maternity leave policy, new parents wouldn't have to bring their babies to work with them.

Baby and the Big City

Dying to visit Chicago, but Baby is holding you back? Take heart, Mama and Dada. You can take your toddler or baby along.

“We took our daughter to Chicago when she was 4 months old, then again when she was 7 months old,” says Tina Dzikowski, 30, of Eastpointe, Mich., whose daughter is now 3 and son is 1. “It worked out fine. I haven’t tried it yet with two. But I’d say, go.”

Video: Funny Baby Laugh

Internet Addiction Worst Among Middle-Aged Women Who Stay At Home

I came across this article titled, "Internet addictions: A real medical menace?" It states:

• Internet addiction...is becoming so common that at least one psychiatrist says it merits inclusion in psychiatry's official handbook of mental illness, the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders."
  
• ...But other doctors comment that Internet addiction, while it may be real, is too new of a condition and needs further study before being medically classified.

Of course I thought about us Baby Blog Addicts while reading the article and chuckled because they were talking about people waaaaay beyond us, right? Until I got to the part that said, "Recent studies are surprising, indicating the problem is worst not among game-obsessed teens, but rather among middle-aged women who stay at home, constantly on the computer as a way of connecting to the outside world."

I guess we need to feature a 12 step program soon!

Call a Baby Name Consultant

Actress Halle Berry's decision to call her daughter Nahla Ariela Aubry had some people perplexed, but baby experts said it mirrored a trend for unusual names which has helped create a new profession -- baby name consultant.

Today's Headlines

>> Woman expecting first baby at 57...
>> Would you like to 'bring your baby to work' every day?...
>> Pregnancy after cancer treatment is increasingly possible...

A PEEP Show for Easter

Check out The Washington Post's 2nd Annual Peep Show. They received more than 800 Peep dioramas and chose "The Tomb of King Peepankhamun" as the winner.

HAPPY EASTER!!

Ten Reasons to Hold your Toddler

Some parents begin to think that toddlers shouldn’t be held as much as they were holding their babies a few months ago. But Joanne Baum says that’s largely a misperception. Toddlers still need a lot of holding. Check out what she has to say in "Pick Me Up, Mommy."

Baby Shower Gifts

In the past, we've highlighted a few items on BBA that would be practical or unique baby shower gifts like the Pee-Pee Tee Pee (unique...I'm not sure how practical).

We'd love for you to share your favorite baby shower gift and let us know if you were expecting a baby boy, girl or didn't know. Just post your favorites in the comments here and help others (like BBA reader Laura) who are shopping for baby shower gifts.

Why Working Dads Don’t Need Support Groups

Women tend to rely on support from friends for lots of things in life and it seems that parenting is no different. Guys on the other hand...well, just click the link to this column to find out why working dads don't need support groups.

Here's an interesting point that stood out to me: A part of the piece with thoughts from RebelDad blogger Brian Reid seems to hit the nail on the head: “Dads, though, don’t always seek support for the simple reason they don’t feel the same parenting pressure as moms, Reid points out. While moms may feel a societal push to be perfect, dads often are praised for whatever they do, Reid suggests. That means dads feel less pressure to check the latest parenting book or Parent magazine for tips.”

Today's Headlines

>> Halle Berry's got a baby girl...
>> George Clooney not going to be godfather to Kidman's baby...
>> Soleil Moon Frye welcomes a baby girl...

Babies Can Cause 'Momnesia'

Momnesia — the mental fuzziness and memory lapses that set in shortly after childbirth. Scientists agree that momnesia exists. While researchers say they can't explain all the ways motherhood affects a woman's memory, they agree there's a pattern.

Isn't it comforting just knowing that we are not crazy or alone. I personally think momnesia actually sets in during pregnancy (way before childbirth) and I bet my husband would agree.

Paid Maternity Leave: What’s It Worth to You?

Last week, the New Jersey State Senate approved legislation that would grant employees paid maternity or dependent-care leave, making New Jersey one of only three states in the U.S. to pay workers who need time off to care for a new child or a sick relative. The other two are California and Washington.

Check out the rest of Lyla Alphonse's article, but read at your own risk. You may be ready to pack your bags and move out of the country when you are done...how about Canada or France or just about any country as long as it's not the U.S.

Late Night Announcement

Actress Minnie Driver used Thursday's broadcast of 'The Tonight Show' to announce that she is pregnant. The unmarried 38-year-old did not reveal the father.

Today she talked with Ellen Degeneres about her name dilemma.

Glass Baby Bottles Make a Comeback

New York - Meg Robustelli had heard reports that a chemical in most plastic baby bottles could be dangerous, but she had not done anything about it. That's when her mother stepped in and bought her glass bottles.

"She's an alarmist, but I'm grateful," said Robustelli, whose daughter, Mia, is 14 months old. "I switched because of all the concerns about the plastic."

She made the change about six months ago, becoming one of a relatively small but growing number of parents turning to glass bottles amid concerns over a chemical used to make plastic bottles, bisphenol A.

Earlier on BBA: Heating Plastic Bottles Poses a Risk

Easter Basket Ideas That Won’t Rot the Kids' Teeth

Easter is just a week and a half away and...OK, OK...I know I'm beginning to sound like an anti-sweets mom after my Valentine's Day ("Alternative to Sweets") post and now this Easter one. But I'm just offering alternatives to the same ole basket full of candy that you give and get everywhere you turn on holidays like Easter.

It’s true that filling an Easter basket with chocolate and candy are an easy way to commemorate the holiday but there are other ways to have a great Easter basket that your kids will love! Check out DotComWomen for a few ideas.

This was a picture of my son's Easter basket last year. He loved the "Little Bunny: Finger Puppet" book, the blue Crocs and his Superman pjs. You can also see a little bit of chocolate peeking out. He did get some M&Ms and a small chocolate bunny, but I think he liked the non-chocolate items best!

The alternative baskets are also a great idea for babies (who can't eat real food yet) and children who have food allergies. Have fun being creative!

Not Yet a Toddler, But She Can Read!

It’s hard to imagine, but at just 17 months Elizabeth Barrett is already reading. She showed her amazing talent on TODAY this morning.

She read her first word when she was just 13 months old. The word was “corn,” and little Elizabeth read it on a cereal box at the supermarket. There was no picture of corn to give her a clue. She just pointed at the word and read it. She also signed the word in sign language.

Today's Headlines

>> Matt Damon and wife expecting second baby...
>> Jaundice: Why your baby may look yellow...
>> Woman delivers baby in McDonald's bathroom...

Website Spotlight: Baby Names Country

Baby Names Country is a site dedicated to baby names and their meanings and origins.

I thought it was fun to play with the Baby Names Advisor in the right column. I put in my name and my husband's and it recommended Triston for a boy and Brynn for a girl. I also put in my parents' names and it recommended Regina. I'm glad my parents went with Jennifer instead. I feel a lot more like a Jennifer than a Regina.

As you are looking through the list, you can even add names to your personal favorite names list and then print it out to help you to make a decision before the baby arrives. The printed list would be great to add to your baby's memory book, so they can look back one day (and probably laugh) at some of the other names you considered for them.

Special Delivery: Baby Born at Home

Amy Harper was home with her five-year-old daughter, when her water broke five weeks early. She called her sister-in-law, but the women quickly realized it was too late get the hospital.

They called 911, and a short 6 minutes later: "One big push and the baby was out!"...