James Packer and Wife Welcome Daughter

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/28/2315979.htm

One of Australia's wealthiest men, James Packer, and his wife, Erica Baxter, have welcomed a new baby girl to their family. The couple were married on the French Riviera in June 2007.

Halle Berry Threatens Action Over Baby Photos

http://www.infosjeunes.com/Halle-Berry-threatens-action-over-baby-pictures-taken-in-her-backyard_a110219.html

Halle Berry has threatened legal actions over photos of her and her 4 month old daughter, Nahla, were taken while she was in her house and in her back yard by a paparazzi photographer using a telephoto lens.

“I will do everything I can for the sake of her safety and well-being to keep her out of the public eye…I intend to do everything I can to make sure the photographer who illegally intruded into my home is criminally prosecuted.”

Rebecca Romijn Expecting Twins

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20206200,00.html

Rebeccan Romijn and Jerry O'Connell are expecting twin baby girls. The couple was married in July of 2007, and the babies are due this winter.

Congress Aiming to Ban Phthalates in Children's Products

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25893316

Congress has taken the first step toward banning phthalates from being used in children's toys and children's products. Phthalates are used in the production of plastics, and have come under fire since 2005 when a study by the Center for Reproductive Epidemiology at the University of Rochester Medical School discovered a link between phthalate exposure in newborn males and changes related to low sperm count, undescended testicles and other reproductive problems.

The manufacturing industry, including Exxon Mobil Chemicals, contend that the products have been used for decades and have been found to be safe. They argue that banning the use of phthalates may force manufacturers to use chemicals with less research that may turn out to be even more harmful.

Not yet in effect, it is uncertain whether the measure will end up passing, since President Bush opposes the action and is undecided on whether he would issue a veto.

More Benefits of Motherhood: Lower Cancer Risk

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3285969.cms

Motherhood comes with a variety of benefits, and it seems that more may have been added to the list: a lower risk of both ovarian cancer and breast cancer. Other concerns related to pregnancy are that women who don't conceive may be more prone to weight gain and menstrual problems later, as pregnancy is an expected hormonal regulator in a woman's body.

To put it simply, an early pregnancy matures the breast tissue as it prepares to produce milk for the baby. Mature cells are much less likely to become cancerous than immature cells.

It's MY Binky Pacifiers Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08336.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: It’s My Binky’s Personalized Pacifiers

Units: About 115,000

Importer: It’s My Binky, of Henderson, Nev.

Hazard: The pacifier button, ring handle and shield with nipple can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants.

Incidents/Injuries: It’s My Binky has received two reports of the pacifier button, ring handle and shield with nipple detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled pacifiers have "Japlo" imprinted on the front of the pacifier shield at the bottom, center. The pacifiers were sold in blue, white and pink with various words or designs printed on the button of the pacifier. Examples of text and symbols printed on recalled Japlo pacifiers include but are not limited to the following:

BLUE (pacifier w/text)	WHITE (pacifier w/text)	PINK (pacifier w/text)
Image of a skull (no text) stud muffin prince charming my mom rocks mute button my dad rocks momma's boy insomniac future ceo little monster flirt bad to the bone	image of a skull (no text) stud muffin prince charming princess my mom rocks mute button little monster future ceo daddy's girl born to shop	spoiled princess my mom rocks mute button my dad rocks insomniac future ceo flirt daddy's girl born to shop

Sold at: Nordstrom and baby boutique retail stores nationwide and online at www.itsmybinky.com from February 2006 through June 2008 for between $5 and $6.

Manufactured in: Malaysia

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these pacifiers away from children and return them to the store where purchased or contact the firm if purchased online to receive a free replacement pacifier.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact It’s My Binky toll-free at (888) 689-9444 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday PT or visit the firm’s website at www.itsmybinky.com or e-mail Danielle Riiber at Danielle@itsmybinky.com

Ethan Hawke and Wife Welcome Daughter

http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx/?news=324214>1=28101

Ethan Hawke and his wife, Ryan Shawhughes, welcomed their new daughter Clementine Jane Hawke on Friday in New York City. The couple were married last month in New York, and Hawke has 2 children from his prior marriage to Uma Thurman.

Classic Baby Games

http://www.parents.com/baby/development/intellectual/games-to-play-with-baby/

All of us are familiar with the classic baby games like Peek-a-Boo, but sometimes a new parent can forget the basics in the frenzy of trying to deal with everyday issues. Parents.com has collected a few of the classic games for newborns, as well as included some information on how they help your baby, and ways to improve upon them an extra step.

So check out the expert opinions regarding Peekaboo, Patty-Cake, Where's Your Nose?, What Does the Cat Say?, and Lap Games!

Raising a Confident Child

http://www.parents.com/preschoolers/socializing/social-growth/secrets-of-confident-kids-/

While it may sound counterintuitive, it seems that the best advice for raising a confident child is not to focus too heavily on self-esteem with compliments and assurances, but instead to focus on teaching competence. Familiarity with a variety of circumstances will reduce anxiety, and learning to cope with being uncomfortable or with strange situations will help your child "keep cool" when new challenges appear.

Parents.com has a great article describing the ways that you can promote competence and instill confidence in your child. The article above details their 9 Secrets of Confident Kids:

1. Consider your compliments
   
2. Don't rescue your child
   
3. Let him make decisions
   
4. Focus on the glass half full
   
5. Nurture his special interests
   
6. Promote problem solving
   
7. Look for ways to help others
   
8. Find opportunities for her to spend more time with adults
   
9. Fantasize about the future

Keeping Kids Happy: 100 Ways

http://www.parents.com/baby/care/preemie-care/ways-to-keep-little-kids-happy/

As your little ones grow older it will take even more of your attention to satisfy them. When you're fresh out of ideas and don't want to resort to plopping them down in front of the TV, check out the list that Parents.com has compiled! Ten ideas across each of 10 categories:

1. Pretend-Play Games
   
2. Take-Alongs That Make Waiting Fun
   
3. Easy Art Project
   
4. Toys That Are Worth Every Penny
   
5. Games To Play With A Ball
   
6. Rainy Day Ideas
   
7. Ways To Make Every Car Ride Rock
   
8. Books Toddlers Love
   
9. CDs Kids Adore
   
10. Really Fun 5 Minute Activities

Taggies Sleep N Play Recall

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08317.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Taggies™ Sleep’n Play Infant Garments

Units: About 6,200

Importer: Rashti & Rashti, of New York, N.Y.

Hazard: The snaps on these garments can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves two Taggies™ Sleep ‘n Play style infant garments sold in purple or blue and white with style number listed in chart. The infant garments are one piece footed coveralls with snaps down the front. These garments were sold in sizes 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-9 months. RN #27829 is printed on the care label sewn into the garment. Style numbers are printed on the hangtag of the garments.

Style#	UPC	Color	Description
T21301H	0-22253-21301-3	Purple	Butterfly Applique Sleep’n Play (0-3M)
T21302H	0-22253-21302-0	Purple	Butterfly Applique Sleep’n Play (0-6M)
T21301H	0-22253-21303-7	Purple	Butterfly Applique Sleep’n Play (6-9M)
T20816H	0-22253-20816-3	Blue and White	Fun Dog Print Sleep’n Play (0-3M))
T20817H	0-22253-20817-0	Blue and White	Fun Dog Print Sleep’n Play (3-6M)
T20818H	0-22253-20818-7	Blue and White	Fun Dog Print Sleep’n Play (6-9M)

Sold at: Buy Buy Baby, Dillards, Nordstrom, and other specialty stores and Internet retailers nationwide from June 2007 through May 2008 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these garments away from children and contact Rashti & Rashti to receive a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Rashti & Rashti at
(888) 594-3730 between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.rashtiandrashti.com

Built to Grow Cribs Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08314.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: 2nd Nature Built to Grow Cribs

Units: About 1,200

Manufacturer: Stanley Furniture Company Inc., of Stanleytown, Va.

Hazard: The cribs could fail to meet a federal safety standard for crib dimensions. When the mattress support is in the middle setting, the space between the mattress and the crib could be too wide, posing an entrapment hazard to infants.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the full size 2nd Nature Built to Grow cribs, model number 353-14-220. Model and serial numbers are located on the headboard. The crib is natural maple in color. Only the following serial numbers are included in the recall: 353-14-220-L-01, 353-14-220-L-02, 353-14-220-L-03, 353-14-220-L-04, 353-14-220-L-05, 353-14-220-L-06, 353-14-220-L-07, 353-14-220-L-08, 353-14-220-L-101, and 353-14-220-L-103. The recall does not include cribs sold after December 2007.



Sold at: Department and furniture stores from March 2006 through December 2007 for about $1,100.

Manufactured in: Slovenia

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the crib in the middle mattress setting, and adjust it to the low or high setting. Contact Stanley Furniture to determine if the crib is subject to this recall, and if it is, to receive a free replacement crib headboard.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Stanley Furniture toll-free at (888) 839-6822 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.youngamerica.com

Angelina and Brad Get Critiqued Over Name Choices

http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx/?news=322705>1=BUZZ2

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt's newest family members have been getting quite a lot of name critique in a variety of places. MSN adds to the piling on with 3 experts who grade each name and provide reasons behind their conclusions. Overall Knox Leon got a B, and Vivienne Marcheline got an A.

Perfect Mothers Myth

http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/raisingkids/articlerb.aspx?cp-documentid=8385161>1=32001

Ever worried about being a perfect mom? Fretted over a mistake you made and worried that it made you a bad mother? MSN has posted an interview with the authors of the new book Dirty Little Secrets From Otherwise Perfect Moms. In it they provide a few highlights of what the moms they spoke with repeatedly told them, and expose the pressure that all moms seem to feel in not exposing mistakes to family and friends.

More Mothers Getting Mommy Makeovers

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/25583034/?GT1=43001

A rising number of women are choosing to have "mommy makeovers" after they've finished with their childbirthing years. There was a 9-12% increase in tummy tucks and breast surgery from 2005 to 2006 among women in their 30's. Frequently referred to as "the mom job" the procedure is purely cosmetic, which introduces the usual arguments for and against cosmetic surgeries.

Levi Alves McConaughey for Matthew and Camila

http://www.news24.com/News24/Entertainment/Celebrities/0,,2-1225-2108_2355048,00.html

Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves named their newborn son Levi Alves McConaughey. The inspiration for the name comes from the Bible, where Levi is another name for the apostle Matthew. They included Alves name because they wanted their son's name to incorporate her family name as well.

Explaining Why Sunday Rose Keith Urban Was Picked

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,378721,00.html

Have you been wondering where Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban came up with the idea to name their daughter Sunday? It turns out that the idea comes from Australian patron of the arts Sunday Reed who was very influential in Victoria at the beginning of the century. The second name, Rose, is apparently a tribute to Urban's late grandmother Rose.

TV War Journalist Announces Pregnancy

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080709/D91QB0BO1.html

TV journalist Lara Logan, who is chief foreign affairs correspondent for CBS News and is known for her intrepid war coverage, has announced that she is pregnant and due in January. The baby's father is Joseph Burkett, a married federal contractor in the middle of divorcing his wife, and whom she met while stationed in Iraq.

Lara is also going through a divorce from Jason Siemon, an energy lobbyist whom she married in 1998. Even though the pregnancy was unplanned, she is looking forward to being a mom, and that she and Burkett plan to marry eventually.

Jamie Lynn Spears Shows Off Maddie in OK! Magazine

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080709/D91QC5DG0.html

Jamie Lynn Spears is proudly showing off her newborn daughter Maddie Briann just weeks after giving birth, and is already longing to be a Southern soccer mom. The pictures can be found on the cover of OK! magazine, which was expected given her history with the magazine and the rumored payment for exclusive pictures.

Baby's Smile is Natural High for New Mothers

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,377663,00.html

A study published in the journal Pediatrics has found that seeing their baby's face, particularly when smiling, results in a natural high for new mothers. Dr. Lane Strathearn, based at the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas said that the same regions of the brain that activated during neural scans have previously been identified in studies researching drug addiction.

The study provides explanation for the strong bond between mothers and their children. Three different regions of the brain associated with reward centers "lit up" when mothers were shown pictures of their baby's smiling face.

These regions, called the substantia nigra, the striatum and the frontal lobe, are involved in emotion processing, cognition and behavioural outputs.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban Welcome Baby Girl

http://www.theage.com.au/news/people/its-a-girl-for-nic/2008/07/08/1215282782239.html

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have welcomed their new daughter with an interesting choice of names: Sunday Rose Kidman Urban. Born in a hospital in Nashville, the little girl weighed in at 6 lbs and 11 ounces.

Nicole is 41 years old and has had 2 failed pregnancies, so the couple's family and friends warmly received the news on Monday.

Antonia Kidman added: "The birth of Nicole and Keith's daughter is such wonderful news and a beautiful addition to our family.

"We're all absolutely thrilled with the new arrival," she told People magazine.

Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves Welcome Baby Boy

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2008/07/matthew-mcconau.html

Matthew McConaughey and his girlfriend Camila Alves welcomed their new son on Monday night at 6:22 pm in Los Angeles. Weighing in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces the baby's name has not been released, but as Matthew wrote on his website when initially announcing the pregnancy, the are "stoked and wowed."

Angelina Jolie Resting in French Hospital

http://movies.msn.com/movies/celebritynews/jolie-twins/?GT1=7701

Angelina Jolie has checked into a hospital in France according to schedule, and is resting under doctor's surveillance until she delivers her twins. Their birth is likely to be sometime in the next few weeks.

Tips to Raise a Happy Child

http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/raisingkids/articleab.aspx?cp-documentid=8150607>1=32001

MSN's Lifestyle section has a great article via Parents.com about how you can raise a happy child. With a lot of good sense ideas, this article is aimed at long term happiness for your child instead of the momentary pleasure that comes from instant gratification.

Read the article for details and learn about the 7 recommendations for raising a happy child:

1. Foster Connections
   
2. Don't Try to Make Your Child Happy
   
3. Nuture Your Happiness
   
4. Praise the Right Stuff
   
5. Allow for Success and Failure
   
6. Give Real Responsibilities
   
7. Practice Habitual Gratitude