Cordless Shades Can Save Your Child's Life

Yesterday I put new window shades up in my daughter's room. Ever since my first child was born I had been tying the cords up high and out of reach, but this time I bought the cordless pleated style of shade (which is so nice and neat whether you have young children or not). So that made me think about cordless shades and I began to wonder why they even make the corded kind anymore. A quick Internet search led me to this article about a recent tragedy with corded shades. A 3 year-old boy was strangled by a cord from a window blind wrapped around his neck.
http://cbs4.com/local/toddler.accident.hanging.2.820339.html
The article states that nearly 800 children have been killed over the past 35 years from strangulation by a window blind cord. What a horrific figure, especially considering that the prevention is simple. Even if you don't buy the cordless style, snipping the looped cord into two loose cords prevents the loop that children can slip around their necks. October is "National Window Coverings Safety Month". This very moment is the time to check and adjust the window coverings you have in your home to prevent a potential tragedy.

Update: Stores to Show Country of Origin

Well here is some welcome news after all the contamination warnings regarding imported food -today the U.S. Department of Agriculture stated that it will require retailers to display the country of origin on a wide variety of foods.

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20080929/foods-get-country-of-origin-labels

The not-so-great news is that this new labeling does not apply to processed foods or products that mix several items (such as frozen peas and carrots for example). It also does not include restaurants.

So, although it does seem to be a step in the right direction, this new labeling is not going to be enough, especially in light of all the recent bad news about foods that are produced in other countries, particularly China.

Cadbury Recalls Chinese-made Candy

Unbelievably, melamine has once again been found in a product that will primarily be eaten by children - this time it's Cadbury chocolate. Certain Cadbury chocolates produced in their Beijing plant were found to be contaminated with melamine this week. It seems that none of this chocolate was imported to the United States, however this is yet another call to be vigilant about everything you purchase, especially if your child is going to eat it. In all matters of nutritional safety, reading labels for dates and ingredients is essential. We also need to revert back to the good old-fashioned use of taste and smell as well. But now it seems we are at a point where we should simply stop buying any food that is imported from China.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/29/cadbury.milk/index.html

"The candy maker is the latest company to get caught up in China's tainted-milk scandal. Melamine was first found in powdered infant formula but has since been traced to dozens of other products."

Born in the Internet Age

As technology swiftly advances, it becomes increasingly difficult for parents to "stay up on things". Every day we are surrounded by our tech devises, picking up the cell phone to leave someone a message, or texting to avoid the conversation, hopping on the computer to check e-mails . . . our children are observing and absorbing every moment of our behavior. And as soon as they are old enough, our children start to develop their own habits quicker than you can say "turn that thing off"! Now here is a great source, a website called theonlinemom.com has useful information as well as links to help guide us through the jungle of technological advances and how they influence our kids. With some common sense, we should be able to raise children who make the most of technology without letting it rule their lives. http://www.theonlinemom.com/secondary.asp?id=7

FDA Says No Tainted Chinese Formula in U.S.

We've been hearing quite a bit about the horrific occurrence of tainted baby milk in China and naturally many have worried that it is possible this will also occur here in the U.S. However, at this point the FDA is telling us they have not found any occurrences here of tainted baby formula imported from China. Inspectors have based their findings on hundreds of visits to U.S. specialty stores.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=aEXOVAAHz3r0&refer=home
This announcement comes after the FDA warned last week that Chinese baby formula contaminated with melamine may have entered the U.S. illegally. Tainted milk powder in China has killed three children and sickened more than 1,300.

The Child's Developing Brain

Brain development is something I find absolutely fascinating. And a recent article on the New York Times website makes it even more fun to learn about this subject with a nifty diagram and slider tool which shows you exactly how a child's brain develops from age 4 through 21.
"While no two children develop in exactly the same way, scientists have been able to link certain developmental milestones to changes in brain tissue, observed by MRI scans taken repeatedly over years."
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/09/15/health/20080915-brain-development.html?ei=5070&emc=eta3

Recent Crib Recalls

There are so many things that parents have to worry about all day, so when their baby is finally asleep in his crib, they should be able to breathe a sigh of relief. However, the only way to be sure your infant is sleeping safely is to stay up-to-date on crib recalls and ensure that the crib has been assembled properly.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is expected to announce more Simplicity crib recalls. This is basically a continuation of last year's recall of one million cribs, and is due to the drop-side detaching from the crib and creating a dangerous gap which can lead to suffocation. There are many Simplicity crib models involved, so parents need to be thorough in checking theirs. Photos of the defective hardware, as well as a video clip about this recent recall are available at the CPSC website. There is also a convenient link to send friends so they can check their child's crib as well.
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB122162047489946685-lMyQjAxMDI4MjExNjYxMjYwWj.html#

Parents: When to back off, when to step in

Here is a subject that is near and dear to my heart - empowering your children to do for themselves. This CNN article talks about the problems caused by "helicopter parenting", which is such an appropriate expression for what we often see around us in "over involved" parents. Of course you can care deeply for your child without getting into every minutiae of his life. Parents should pride themselves on raising children who are self-sufficient, which is the ultimate goal after all. And children will never become self-sufficient if someone else does everything for them and solves all their problems.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/family/09/17/helicopter.parents/index.html

Dr. T. Berry Brazelton answers Child Development Questions

It's been some time since I've heard about Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, and I realized I miss his good, common sense point-of-view regarding child development. Known for his Touchpoints books, and cable TV show What Every Child Knows, Brazelton approaches every topic with a peaceful, positive demeanor and a sense of humor which seems to be lacking in many other "childcare experts" these days.
In a recent New York Times Well guide, Dr. Brazelton and Dr. Joshua Sparrow answer readers' questions about building a child's self esteem and attitudes about discipline.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/dr-brazelton-on-self-esteem-discipline-and-learning-from-your-kids/?ei=5070&emc=eta1

SIDS Research Continues

There are some subjects that seem too sad to even contemplate, and SIDS is one of them. However, it's important that all parents are aware of this awful possibility and follow the latest guidelines to help protect their babies from this fate. The terrible truth is that even vigilant parents who have done everything they know to protect their baby, have lost their greatest treasure to SIDS. As you can see in this article, SIDS researchers continue to make connections with certain genetic anomalies and brain-stem problems. Some of the genetic anomalies can be diagnosed, but only if the parents request the tests, because they are not routine in most states. Even then, these anomalies account for only a small percentage of SIDS deaths. There seem to be several biological explanations for this syndrome, which complicates the mystery even more.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/family/09/12/sids.infants/index.html

Helping Kids Stay Well - Keep it Simple

As much as I like to read about childcare and get useful information to help me with the overwhelming job of raising my children, sometimes my head spins with everything I read. Whether it's online, or in newspapers, books or magazine articles, no one can read everything there is to know and then absorb and decipher the information in the little time remaining before the baby wakes from her nap or the bus pulls up to the front door! So I was glad to find this source, from a sensible, trusted news site:
http://www.nytimes.com/indexes/2008/09/15/health/healthspecial2/index.html
This Well guide is a central location to find small steps and simple strategies to improve a child's well-being in four areas - nutrition, development, playtime and safety. I think it's a useful source for parents with very sensible advice - and I love that!

Steps to Protect Your Family from BPA

Until the FDA makes a final decision on the use of BPA in consumer products there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from
Bisphenol-A:

• Minimize your consumption of canned food and beverages because BPA may be used to line the cans. Choose fresh or frozen food and glass bottled juices instead.

• Buy water bottles and baby bottles that explicitly say they are BPA-Free. http://babymallonline.com

• Buy reusable water bottles made of stainless steel or aluminum. http://www.kleankanteen.com

• Avoid all plastics with the #7 recycle code (the number in the triangle at the bottom of the container or bottle).

For more information on BPA go to http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/bisphenol-a-47091707

SNL Star Prepares to Welcome First Child

It must be hard for celebrities to make that decision to stay home with baby and take a break from their high profile career, but that's just what Amy Poehler is planning on doing according to US Magazine.
http://www.usmagazine.com/news/amy-poehler-leaving-saturday-night-live

The SNL funny lady says she won't be returning to the show after her maternity leave and admits that it's going to be hard. I know I will miss her hilarious impersonation of Hillary Clinton the most. Hopefully, there will be many guest appearances for the soon-to-be mom.

Soap is Soap - wash your hands!

I must admit, I was one of those moms that jumped on the bandwagon when it came to antibacterials soaps and hand cleaners. I was convinced that the antibacterial nature of these new soaps made them superior to the plain old soap we had been using for years. Then came the controversy about triclosan, so back we went to using regular soap . . . and now here's evidence that just as long as you are washing your hands at all, that's what really matters . . . phew!

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=83363

Traveling with Baby

My mother always says "don't over pack". But this summer we took several small vacations with our children, and after all these years of planning and organizing my family of five, I still manage to forget things (such as the prescription for the diagnosed-the-day-before we left ear infection), the beach shoes for those rocky New England shorelines, the favorite t-shirt that should never be left at home . . . well, you get the picture. Now I see that there are websites devoted to travelling with kids and articles with packing lists and useful tips. Even more specifically, there is this website http://www.flyingwithkids.com/

which I could have really used a few times! I find that writing lists and planning ahead are my two best pieces of advice for staying organized and being prepared during my family's travels. And against my mother's advice I say "pack more than you think you need", you can always take it back home again!

I'm Glad I'm Not a Celebrity!

Recently a handful of celebrities have given birth to twins: Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts and Marcia Cross. Actress-model Rebecca Romijn and her husband actor Jerry O’Connell just announced in People magazine they are expecting twins in the winter; Lisa Marie Presley is also expecting twins . . .


http://www.pressemeldungen.at/39210/celebrity-baby-trend-twins/


If there is such a thing as a celebrity baby trend, then I think "twins are in"! Are we hearing more and more about famous parents having twins, or is it just me? I've read theories about why there seem to be more twins in the news than ever, but I think it's just coincidence. No matter the reason, I'm sure that these parents must be feeling doubly blessed!

Is There Arsenic in Your Water?

A new study shows that people with small amounts of arsenic in their urine are more likely to suffer from diabetes. It's scary to think about all the things in the environment that can harm your family's health, but this is one that you can do something about. There are ways to remove arsenic from your water supply. You can learn more about what's in your tap water by requesting a copy of your community's annual water quality report from your local water utility. It's often called a consumer confidence or right-to-know report. The report lists the levels of certain contaminants found in local drinking water as well as potential health threats of any contaminants detected in violation of EPA standards.
http://www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/qarsenic.asp

BPA in Plastic Bottles - What's the Latest?

Is BPA safe? Recently, the FDA and the European Union's top food safety body have said evidence indicates BPA is safe as currently used. However, Canadian health suthorities have announced plans to ban some products and the U.S. National Toxicology Program has "some concerns" that it may harm development of the prostate and brain. Clearly, not everyone agrees that BPA is "safe".

On Tuesday, a new study by British researchers in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that among 1,455 U.S. adults, those with the highest levels of BPA were most likely to have heart disease, diabetes and liver-enzyme abnormalities than those with the lowest levels.

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN1644774820080916

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials said they would review the new findings, which were not yet published when the agency issued a draft conclusion in August that BPA is safe at current exposure levels.

It looks like the scientists will be debating this issue for years. Why chance it? As a mom, I'm now looking for BPA-Free plastics only for bottles, cups and toys.

Good Charlotte Guitarist Expecting First Baby

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20225472,00.html

Billy Martin, the guitarist for the band Good Charlotte, and his wife are expecting their first child in late January 2009. The couple have decided on an Alice in Wonderland themed nursery for the baby that will be designed once they determine the baby's gender.

Martin says that at the moment that he found out about the pregnancy, "All the sound in the world stopped for a minute. I was shocked - but excited." Martin is 27, and his wife, Linzi, is 25.

Martin is both a guitarist and an accomplished artist/illustrator with his own T-shirt line, called Level 27. He says that he'll be creating some original artwork for his baby.

He says bandmate Joel Madden, who's dad to 8-month-old daughter Harlow with girlfriend Nicole Richie, has been a great source of advice.

"Joel says it's going to change my whole world, but fatherhood is the best thing that ever happened to him," says Martin. "He tells me not to stress out, and to try to take everything in stride and enjoy it because it's the coolest thing that can happen to you."

2nd Baby Dead in China from Milk Powder

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/world/asia/16milk.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

While China doesn't export milk powder to the US, it's worth noting that a 2nd baby has died and 1,253 others made sick from milk powder made in China that was tainted with melamine, which is used to make plastics and fertilizers. Over 340 infants are still hospitalized, suffering from kidney stones.

Parents have been complaining about the product since March, and last week the Sanlu Group, a very large dairy producer in China, has recently issued a recall of the product. There is currently suspicion as to whether the melamine was added intentionally in order to get it to test at higher levels of protein. Officials in New Zealand have been trying for weeks to get China to issue an official recall, but local authorities in China would not announce one.

Both babies who died from the milk powder died earlier this year, but it has only recently been determined that the powder was the root cause of the 2nd death in July.

“It’s unlikely that dairy farmers mixed the industrial chemical melamine in fresh milk,” Mr. Li said, according to China Daily. “We believe the contamination is more likely to have occurred at milk collecting stations.”

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/16/content_10041638.htm

Amidst international attention, Tian Wenhua, the board chairwoman and general manager of China dairy giant Sanlu Group, was fired from her posts in the wake of the tainted baby formula milk powder scandal.

Tian was also removed from her post as the secretary of the corporation committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), according to Party authorities of Hebei Province and its capital Shijiazhuang where the company is based.

Baby Safety Month - CPSC Reminder: Pillows Are Dangerous

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08394.html

As parents prepare for a new baby with love and care, CPSC urges keeping safety in the mix. One area of great concern for the CPSC is pillow use in cribs. The CPSC is urging all parents to forego putting any kind of pillows in the crib due to the high risk of suffocation and entrapment. The CPSC is aware of at least 47 infant deaths between January 2006 and May 2008 associated with pillow use in the sleeping environment. In the 16 years between January 1992 and May 2008, pillows and cushions have been associated with 531 infant deaths.

“Parents should be especially vigilant when preparing for a new baby,” said Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “Babies represent our most precious and vulnerable population.”

Nursery Safety

• To reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation, place baby to sleep on his or her back in a crib that meets current safety standards.
  
• To prevent suffocation never use a pillow as a mattress for baby to sleep on or to prop baby’s head or neck.
  
• Infants can strangle to death if their bodies pass through gaps between loose components, broken slats and other parts of the crib and their head and neck become entrapped in the space.
  
  • Do not use old, broken or modified cribs.
    
  • Regularly tighten hardware to keep sides firm.
  
  
• Infants can suffocate in spaces between the sides of the crib and an ill fitting mattress; never allow a gap larger than two finger widths at any point between the sides of the crib and the mattress.
  
• Never place a crib near a window with blind or curtain cords; infants can strangle on the cords.

Safety Around the House

• Properly set up play yards according to manufacturers’ directions. Only use the mattress provided with the play yard. Do not add extra mattresses, pillows or cushions to the play yard, which can cause a suffocation hazard for infants.
  
• Look for a toy chest that has a support that will hold the hinged lid open in any position in which it is placed or buy one with a detached lid or doors.
  
• Small Parts – For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
  
• Magnets – For children younger than age eight, avoid building sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
  
• Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly-secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts.
  
• For all children younger than age eight, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
  
• Verify that furniture is stable on its own. For added security, anchor to the floor or attach to a wall.
  
• Use outlet covers and outlet plates to help prevent electrocution.

CPSC encourages parents to routinely check toys and nursery products against CPSC recall lists and remove recalled products from your home. Sign-up for automatic e-mail recall notifications at www.cpsc.gov

Simplicity Bassinet Recall Update

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08396.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is aware that some bassinets in the Simplicity recall announced August 28, 2008 include the Graco logo and “Winnie the Pooh” motif licensed by Disney Consumer Products. Consumers are urged to check their bassinets to ensure they are not using one of the recalled Simplicity models, including those with the Graco logo or “Winnie the Pooh” motif.

The Simplicity bassinets with the Graco logo were sold between 2001 and 2004. The Simplicity bassinets with the “Winnie the Pooh” motif were sold between 2002 and 2008.

The following retailers have voluntarily agreed to recall the product and provide a refund or store credit to consumers who return the product to the store where purchased:

• Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Bentonville, Ark.
  
• Toys “R” Us Inc., Wayne, N.J.
  
• Kmart Corp., Hoffman Estates, Ill.
  
• Big Lots!, Columbus, Ohio
  
• Target, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  
• J.C. Penney, Plano, Texas
  
• AAFES, Dallas, Texas
  
• Amazon.com, LLC Seattle, WA
  
• Bed Bath & Beyond, Union, NJ
  
• Burlington Coat Factory, Burlington, NC
  
• Buy Buy Baby Garden City, NY
  
• Chelsea&Scott LTD (One Step Ahead), Lake Bluff, IL
  
• CSN Stores of Boston, MA
  
• Fingerhut Direct Marketing, Eden Prairie, MN
  
• Frogs and Lily Pads, St. Johnsbury, VT
  
• Kohl’s Department Stores, Menomonee Falls, WI
  
• ShopKo Stores, Inc., Green Bay, WI
  
• Sweet Pea Décor, North Beach, MD
  
• USA Baby #47, Overland Park, KS
  
• USA Baby #58, Brookfield, WI
  
• USA Baby #136, Berlin, CT
  
• USA Baby #141, Waipahu, HI
  
• USA Baby #142, Virginia Beach, VA
  
• USA Baby #147, Clovis, CA

CPSC learned that on August 21, 2008, a 6 ½-month-old girl from Shawnee, Kan. was strangled to death when she became entrapped between the bassinet’s metal bars. This is the second strangulation death CPSC has learned of involving the co-sleeper bassinets. On September 29, 2007, a 4-month-old girl from Noel, Mo. became entrapped in the metal bars of the bassinet and died.

The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars that are covered by an adjustable fabric flap which is attached by velcro. The fabric is folded down when the bassinet is converted into a bed-side co-sleeping position. If the velcro is not properly re-secured when the flap is adjusted, an infant can slip through the opening and become entrapped in the metal bars and suffocate. This warning does not cover bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the lower bar.

Due to the serious hazard these bassinets pose to babies, CPSC urges all consumers to share this safety warning with day care centers, consignment stores, family and friends to ensure that no child is placed to sleep in a Simplicity convertible bassinet covered by this warning.

Optave Baby Carriers Recall

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08389.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: Action Baby Carriers

Units: About 250

Manufacturer: Optave Inc., of Alpena, Mich.

Hazard: The baby carrier’s chest strap can detach from the shoulder straps, posing a fall hazard to the baby.

Incidents/Injuries: Optave Inc. has received two reports of the chest strap detaching from the shoulder straps on the baby carrier. No injuries have been reported.


Description: The recalled carriers were sold under the “Action Baby Carrier” brand name. The carriers are sold in various colors and patterns: blue, brown, green, "so square", "the larrisa" and "spring breeze."

Sold at: Specialty retail stores nationwide and Internet sites from May 2008 through June 2008 for between $80 and $90.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the carrier in the positions that require the use of the chest strap and contact Optave to receive free replacement straps.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Optave Inc. at toll-free (888) 666-6459 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.actionbabycarriers.com

Target's Circo Bobbie Socks Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08386.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: Circo Rosette Bobbie Socks

Units: About 330,000

Importer: Target, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The ribbon on the sock can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Target has received four reports of the ribbon detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves girls Circo bobbie socks. The socks were sold in packs of six (pink, purple, plain white and three pairs with a box), ranging in size from 6- to 12-months, 12- to 24-months and 2T to 5T. The socks are packaged in a green and white sleeve with a Circo-brand logo on the front.


Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from January 2007 to July 2008 for about $6.

Manufactured in: Hong Kong

Remedy: Consumers should take these socks away from children and return them to the nearest Target store to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.target.com

NYC Reports Its Lowest Infant Mortality Ever

http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/108071

New York City is reporting the lowest rate of infant mortality since records were first kept on the issue. The Health Department attributes the decline to greater outreach efforts, including visiting nurses, breast feeding education, and a safe sleep initiative.

A new report shows there were 5.4 deaths per thousand live births in 2007 compared to 5.9 in 2006. That's the largest single year drop since 2001.

MMR Vaccine Does Not Cause Autism

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/09/03/measles.autism/

The Measels, Mumps & Rubella vaccine has been declared safe and not related to autism in a new study that tried to reach a final conclusion regarding a 1998 hypothesis that perhaps the vaccine allowed bowel material to enter the bloodstream and affect the nervous system. The new research used more sophisticated technology and concluded that there is no connection between the MMR vaccine and autism.

While some autism groups are still pushing for more research into a connection between MMR and autism, this latest research seems to be enough for a number of scientists to declare as "conclusive" that MMR vaccine does not cause autism.

"This really puts this issue to bed," said Andy Shih, vice president for scientific affairs of "Autism Speaks," an advocacy group.

Check out our February posting about the 2008 Infant Vaccination Schedule for vaccine scheduling details.

Vaginal Birth Mothers More Responsive to Their Baby's Cry

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903204227.htm

A new study in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry has found that delivery via Caesarean Section (CS) fails to release Oxytocin into the mother's body the way that Vaginal Delivery (VD) does. As a result, mothers who have CS deliveries do not have this key mediator of maternal behavior. Mothers who deliver via traditional VD are significantly more responsive to the cry of their own baby.

Caesarean births have become much more prevalent over the past 40 years, both as mothers want to retain their figures and as the average age of parents has increased, making the procedure more necessary for the health of the baby or the mother. Caesarean births have also been linked to a higher instance of postpartum depression.

Government Decides "some concern" on BPA

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122045647210195441.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Government officials have determined that there is still at least some concern regarding BPA in baby products. The chemical is bisphenol-A, and is used to make plastics both hard and shatterproof. Last month the FDA released a statement indicating that there wasn't sufficient evidence to warrant a ban on the chemical. The statement was based upon an early draft of the final report released today, which mirrors one in which National Toxicology Program experts lowered the rating from "some concern" (3 of 5) to "minimal concern" which is one level lower.

The final FDA determination is that there is "some concern," and is holding a hearing on Sept. 16 to discuss BPA.

"There remains considerable uncertainty whether the changes seen in the animal studies are directly applicable to humans, and whether they would result in clear adverse health effects," said NTP Associate Director John Bucher, Ph.D. "But we have concluded that the possibility that BPA may affect human development cannot be dismissed."

Increased Bipolar Risk for Children of Older Fathers

http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/news/20080902/bipolar-risk-for-kids-born-to-older-dads

Adding to previous research that found increased risk of schizophrenia and autism among children with older fathers, a new study has found that they are also at increased risk of being bipolar. While the increase in risk was substantial, the individual risk of developing the disorder was still quite small.

How to Choose a Baby Bathtub

http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/09/02/health-tip-buy-a-safe-bathtub-for-baby.html

The Nemours Foundation has released it's guidelines for selecting a baby bath tub for your little one. Their advice includes:

• Look for tubs with a backing on the bottom
  
• Choose a tub that is made with thick, sturdy plastic.
  
• Don't use any flotation device, bath ring or suction seat that doesn't have a safety belt.
  
• Don't use a foam cushion in the bath
  
• Choose a tub with smooth edges.
  

Check out the article for a few more details about the Foundation's advice.

Vice Presidential Candidate vs Motherhood

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/us/politics/02mother.html?_r=2&oref=slogin

The "Mommy Wars" have made a return in the form of John McCain's Vice Presidential selection, Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Ms. Palin has a 17 year old daughter who is pregnant, as well as other children including her most recent family addition; a 4 month old infant with Down syndrome.

Much of the criticism seems to be aimed at the difficulty of trying to raise children, particularly an infant that needs special care, while being involved in a major campaign effort with Mr. McCain. Even having a supportive husband may still not be enough to persuade some citizens that she's balancing her priorities appropriately.

Do you think she's taking on too many responsibilities for one woman? Are you more impressed than concerned? Let us know in the comments!