Garage sales and online swap sites are great ways to stretch your dollar when it comes to keeping your kids clothed and entertained, but it's important to keep some basic safety tips in mind. Google the item to make sure it hasn’t been recalled. People often don’t have a clue that their favorite baby gear from 5 years ago has been recalled. They’re so excited to sell it for a good price—never … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding-Safe Medication Guidelines, Right in Your Pocket
All throughout pregnancy, we have to check and double-check what goes into our bodies and balance our needs with the needs of our babies. It doesn’t stop once they’re born! Breastfeeding moms still have to check their meds for safety issues. Sometimes even health care providers aren’t exactly sure what is or what isn’t safe, and will just err on the side of “pump and dump for 24 hours.” We’re … [Read more...]
Are Hand-Me-Down Baby Carriers Safe?
A hallmark of a well-made carrier is that someone loves it enough to pass it along! On the other hand, no one wants Aunt Nancy’s sketchy patched carrier from the 70s. Even if a used carrier is your own, baby gear can sometimes wear out from child to child. This doesn’t mean it wasn’t well-made or well-taken-care-of, but fabric wears out over time, and things like how often you carried your child … [Read more...]
The Story of the Super-Sleep-Deprived Mom Who Learned How to Use Her Baby Carrier Safely
This story is about you. Surprise! We’re manufacturers, and we know how much time and love goes into the instructions (so much!) But we’re also moms and caregivers. We know how little you sleep, and how hard it is to remember things 5 minutes after reading them. So here’s the deal, and the two MOST important things to watch out for in terms of infant babywearing safety. (Still read the … [Read more...]
My Toddler Has Frostbite! What to Do and What to Avoid
Between the unseasonable warmth and the chilling -40 degree Polar Vortex days, it’s been a confusing winter, to say the least. My boys never seem to know whether they should be putting on 4 layers or 1, and “You’re going to get frostbite!” seems to come out of my mouth more days than not. So what do we do when frostbite occurs?Key Takeaways:—Frostnip is the first stage of frostbite. Teach children … [Read more...]
New Recommendations for Kids with Concussions
One of the first things any grandparent realizes is how quickly medical science can change from generation to generation, but many parents don’t realize that these things can actually change by the time you have your second baby. Whenever you have another child, it’s a good idea to ask your pediatrician, “Have there been any big updates in recommendations since I had my first?”This past November, … [Read more...]
How To Talk To Kids About School Safety
It’s hard not to get emotional when I talk about school safety with my eldest. Shooters are not something our generation had to think about as small children, and I know I’m not alone in being scared for him. He needs to be prepared, but I don’t want to make him feel like school is a dangerous place. Michelle Gay of Safe and Sound Schools and Amanda Klinger from … [Read more...]
As Injuries Continue, Doctors Renew Call For Ban On Infant Walkers
Infant walkers seem like a standard thing to add to your baby registry, but the American Academy of Pediatrics would like you to reconsider. Not only do studies show that they may actually delay walking, but injuries from walkers send over 2000 babies to the ER every year! "'I view infant walkers as inherently dangerous objects that have no benefit whatsoever and should not be sold in the U.S.,' … [Read more...]
PSA: My Child Choked, And This Is Why I Knew What To Do
The switch to solid foods is nerve-wracking! As first-time parents, my husband and I watched each bite, and every little noise had us wondering, “Is this choking?!” We watched infant first-aid videos and practiced on dolls. As our baby grew, he became more competent, we became more experienced and stopped worrying. So here we are now, with a 6- and 3-year-old, and we haven’t practiced the … [Read more...]
Can I Sleep While Wearing My Baby? A Pediatrician Explains
It can be frustrating for parents when their baby will not sleep soundly. Some mothers find that their babies sleep best in a Moby wrap and if they are holding them. But it can be dangerous if the person holding the baby falls asleep and fails to support the baby's head and it falls, constricting the baby's breathing and suffocating it. The most effective and safest option is to utilize a … [Read more...]