Organic Baby Foods Here to Stay

http://www.brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp?pf_id=411

The organic baby food market is growing exponentially. Reseach indicates that there has been a 60% increase in organic baby food sales from 2000 to 2005 and sales from organic baby milk went up 271% from 2004 to 2005.

According to 2006 data from Mintel, organic foods cost 69% more than conventional varieties. Despite this higher price consumers pay for organic food products, sales are continually increasing. Over half of the mother surveyed by Mintel say a food being "all natural" is "very important" when they are choosing baby food and drinks.

An increasing number of consumers are beginning to switch over to organic baby foods, because they present consumers with a safer alternative to traditional baby food brands.Parents will be have a positive outlook to new organic baby food brands (even those from start-up companies) if they have confidence the brands provide the best nutritional choice for their children. This is why the organic baby food market is set for continued growth worldwide. Manufacturers of organic baby food are optimistic that this organic baby foods are here to stay and will continue to thrive.

Bullied Children at Risk of Psychotic Symptoms

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090503213612.htm

Children who are bullied at school at at four times more risk of developing psychotic symptoms by the time they reach early adolescence compared to those who were not bullied. Psychotic symptoms include hallucinations, delusions such as being spied on or bizarre thoughts such as one’s thoughts are being broadcast.

The research team at the University of Warwick, led by Professor Dieter Wolke, Professor of Developmental Psychology, followed 6,437 children from birth to 13 years.The children took part in annual face-to-face interviews, psychological and physical tests. Parents were also asked to complete questionnaires about their child’s development. When they reached 13 years of age they were interviewed about experiences of psychotic symptoms in the previous six months. Professor Wolke said: “Our research shows that being victimized can have serious effects on altering perception of the world, such as hallucinations, delusions or bizarre thoughts where the person’s insight into why this is happening is reduced.”

Advantanges of Organic Baby Clothes

http://www.prlog.org/10232793-the-advantage-of-organic-baby-clothes.html

Many families do not understand the benefit of organic clothing, especially for children. According to Lotus Organics, "Millions of children in the US receive up to 35% of their estimated lifetime dose of some carcinogenic pesticides by age five through food, contaminated drinking water, household use, and pesticide drift". The most shocking part of this statement is that infants and children are getting exposed to these toxins when their bodies are the most vulnerable. Johnson and Johnson says that "

A baby's skin is thinner, more fragile and less oily than an adult's. A baby's skin also produces less melanin, the substance that helps protect against sunburn. It's less resistant to bacteria and harmful substances in the environment, especially if it's irritated. Babies also sweat less efficiently than the rest of us, so it's harder for them to maintain their inner body temperature."

Since a baby’s skin is also more porous, the potential for exposure to toxins increases dramatically.

Cotton is one of the biggest carries for toxins and one of the biggest crops grown for use in clothing production in the world. The industry, by itself, accounts for $2.6 billion in pesticide spending each year. Because cotton is not a food crop, is not as severely regulated in terms of toxins and pesticides. According to the EPA,

7 out of the 15 pesticides that are regularly used on cotton carry labels classifying them as either potential or known carcinogens. The unregulated nature of cotton production explains why despite using only 2.4% of the world’s farmland, 25% of the world’s pesticides and 10% of its insecticides are used on it yearly.

These numbers calculate out to one pound of pesticide and one pound of chemical fertilizer for each pair of jeans or t-shirt produced.

To Go Green or Not to Go Green

http://pregnancyandbaby.com/pregnancy/baby/Going-green--Options-for-your-baby-1835.htm

The "green" fad is here to stay, and while many families decide what may be best for their babies and finances, there are a number of options where families can get the best of both worlds. Whether you are an advocate for going green and helping the environment or more concerned with financial stability, some organic options require consideration, especially if your child's health might be affected by your decision.

Even though cloth diapers are cheaper and easier to wash, many people buy disposable for the sake of convenience. Mel Williams of Atlanta, Georgia says

I have always been an avid recycler," says the mom of one. "Part of it is cost. Disposables [are about] $50 a month for an average of three years. That's $1,800 per child! I invested in some one-size-fits-all cloth diapers -- they were a bit more expensive than others, and I spent about $600. I intend to use them on all future children. I am saving a huge amount of money!

The choice between organic baby food or regular usually does not involve much controversy, but since organic foods are slightly higher priced than others, families are not sure how much more organic food is worth. Many experts and moms agree, that keeping pesticides and other chemicals away from a baby's diet is worth the few extra dollars.

It is important to remember that going green does not have to be an all or nothing choice. For example, you can use cloth diapers when you're home and use disposables when you are away. At the end of the day, you should evaluate the pros and cons of your choices and make the best decision for you, your family, and the environment.

Raising an Economic Baby

http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Family_Health_210/Bringing_Up_Baby_On_A_Budget.shtml

A recent article posted by Health news digest suggested that families are spending more than $10,000 a year raising one child. This is, of course, after you add up housing, food, transportation, clothes, medical expenses, child care, and education. By the time children enter college, families are already spending more than $170,000. In a rough economic time and the rise of college tuition, Heath news digest provides you with the following tips to save while children are young.

1. Register in stores for the items you most need for a child. Friends and family would be happy to give you the items you most need (instead of splurging on clothing, which kids grow out of rather quickly).

2. Buy baby clothing that both boys and girls can wear (so you get the most out of your investments).

3. Buy quality diapers in bulk and use coupons to save.

4. Rediscover libraries instead of collecting books for your child to keep. Libraries typically carry all the child classics.

5. Use the money you save to start a college fund. Even setting aside a few hundred dollars a year can help when your child is ready for college.

Updated Guidelines for Pre-term Baby Transport

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/04/29/Taking-preterm-babies-home-safely/UPI-68191241040458/

A group of U.S. pediatricians recently issued updated guidelines for the transportation of preterm or low-weight babies home from the hospital. "The guidelines report updates in research and new resources available for ensuring the safest transportation possible for our most vulnerable babies," article co-author Dr. Marilyn Bull of Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis said in a statement.

A recent report taken from The American Academy of Pediatrics said rear-facing car safety seats are the are more preferable for infants who can maintain cardio-respiratory stability when seated, car beds are more appropriate for some infants with breathing difficulties, slow heart beats or blood levels low in oxygen when seated in a semi-reclining position.

Updated guidelines are posted in the May issue of Pediatrics.

Toy Maracas Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09195.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: Shape-O Toy Maracas

Units: About 44,000

Importer: Tupperware U.S. Inc., of Orlando, Fla.

Hazard: The maracas can break and expose small parts, posing a choking hazard to young children. In addition, the handle poses a suffocation hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Tupperware has received two reports of maracas breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves blue and red toy maracas with yellow handles. The maracas were used by Tupperware representatives during sales presentations. Cut-outs in the shape of stars, squares and other geometric figures are located inside the maraca.

Sold by: Tupperware’s Holiday 2007 and Spring 2008 product catalogs from September 2007 through April 2008 for between $5.50 and $11.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers and Tupperware sales consultants should immediately stop using the maracas and return them to Tupperware for a refund or gift certificate. Maraca return forms can be accessed at www.tupperware.com

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Tupperware at (888) 887-9273 between 8:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.tupperware.com

Simplicity Play Yards Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09187.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: Travel Tender Play Yards

Units: About 25,000

Importer: Simplicity, Inc. and SFCA, Inc., of Reading, Pa. (The firms appear to no longer conduct day to day operations)

Hazard: One or more rails can collapse unexpectedly, posing a fall or entrapment hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of at least five reports of one or more rails collapsing. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled play yards are portable and were sold with a bassinet, changing table and mobile features. The play yards bear the “Simplicity” logo. The model numbers are 5500DRM, 5500WDS, 5500FEL, 5501FEL, 5502MON, 5520PRO, 5550HAN, 5700MAN, and 5750MIR. The model number is located on a sticker on one of the legs underneath the play yard.

Sold at: Burlington Coat Factory stores nationwide and online at Babiesrus.com, Target.com and Kohls.com from March 2005 through January 2009 for about $100.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the play yards and return them to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the following retailers:

• Burlington Coat Factory, of Burlington, N.J. Call toll-free at (888) 223-2628 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
  
  
  
• Babies R Us, of Wayne, N.J. Call (800) 869-7787 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday ET or visit the firm’s Web site at www.babiesrus.com
  
  
  
• Target, of Minneapolis, Minn. Call (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
  
  
  
• Kohl’s Department Stores, of Menomonee Falls, Wis. Call toll-free at (866) 887-8884 between 7a.m. and 3 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kohls.com
  
  
  

SunKids Convertible Cribs Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09181.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: SunKids Convertible Cribs

Units: About 1,900

Importer: Suntech Enterprises Inc., of City of Commerce, Calif.

Hazard: The sides of the crib are made of mesh that expands, creating a gap between the side and the crib’s mattress if it’s not zipped into place, or a gap between the side and an added mattress. A young child can slip into this gap and become entrapped or suffocate. Also, the crib’s drop side can fail to fully latch posing a fall hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported with this crib. However, CPSC is aware of the death of a 5-month-old child in August 2008 involving another company’s nearly identical crib that was recalled. The child became entrapped between the mattress and the mesh side and suffocated.

Description: The recall involves the SunKids convertible crib/playpen/bassinet/bed with model number PY256. “SunKids” is embroidered on the bottom left of the crib’s drop side. The convertible cribs have a drop side rail, stationary side rail, canopy assembly, and bassinet. The sides of the convertible crib are fabric and mesh. The mattress support, bassinet, canopy, and bed skirt are covered in fabric. The fabric and the mesh were sold in navy blue, light blue, pink, beige, white, beige checker, and pink heart.

Sold at: Small juvenile product retailers in N.Y., N. J., and Calif. from January 2007 through October 2008 for about $100.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled convertible cribs and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Suntech Enterprises toll-free at (888) 268-8139 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Envision™ High Chairs Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09178.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: Evenflo Envision™ High Chairs

Units: About 643,000

Manufacturer: Evenflo Company Inc., of Miamisburg, Ohio

Hazard: Recline fasteners and metal screws on both sides of the high chair can loosen and fall out, allowing the seatback to detach or recline unexpectedly. Children can fall backwards or fall out of the high chair and suffer bumps and bruises to the head, abrasions, cuts and bruises. Detached hardware also poses a choking hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: Evenflo has received 320 reports of seatbacks detaching or reclining unexpectedly, resulting in 19 reports of bumps and bruises to the head and 35 reports of other injuries including abrasions, pinches and bruises. Evenflo has also received 13 reports of recline fasteners and screws falling out of the high chair, resulting in one incident in which a fastener and/or screws were found in a child’s hand or mouth but were removed before choking occurred.

Description: The recall involves all Evenflo Envision™ high chairs, including model numbers: 2891321, 2891321A, 2891333, 2891351, 2891351A, 2891365, 2891375, 2891403, 2891403A, 2891466, 2891466A, 2891478, 2891536, 2891536A, 2891573, 2891586, 2892351 and 2892351A. The model number can be found on a white label on the seatback. “Evenflo” and “Envision” are printed on the front of the tray.

Sold at: Juvenile product and mass merchandise stores nationwide, including Toys“R”Us, Babies“R”Us, K-Mart and Burlington Coat Factory from December 2002 through April 2006 for between $80 and $110.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled high chairs and contact Evenflo to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.evenflo.com

Majestic™ High Chairs Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09177.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: Evenflo Majestic™ High Chairs

Units: About 90,000 (95,000 were recalled in December 2008

Manufacturer: Evenflo Company Inc., of Miamisburg, Ohio

Hazard: Plastic caps and metal screws on both sides of the high chair can loosen and fall out, allowing the seatback to suddenly fall back or detach from the high chair. Children can fall backwards or fall out of the high chair and suffer bumps and bruises to the head, broken bones, abrasions, cuts and bruises. Detached hardware also poses a choking hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: For the models added by this expanded recall, Evenflo has received 16 reports of seatbacks reclining, falling back and/or detaching unexpectedly, resulting in five reports of bumps and bruises to the head and five reports of other injuries including bruises and abrasions. For the models added by this expanded recall, Evenflo has received 145 reports of plastic caps and screws falling out of the high chairs, including one incident in which a cap and/or screws were found in a child’s hand or mouth but were removed before choking occurred.

Description: The expanded recall involves Evenflo Majestic™ high chairs, model numbers: 3001395, 3001395A, 3001604, 3001700, 3001713, 3001713A, 3001730A, 3001732, 3001733, 3001742, 3001742A, 3001756, 3001821A, 3001840A, 3001845, 30011848, 3001852, 3001932, 3002719 and 3003845 manufactured between January 23, 2007 and December 31, 2008. The model number and date of manufacture are located on a white label/sticker on the seatback. “Evenflo” is printed on the label and on the front of the tray. Models showing a year of manufacture of 2009 in red ink are not included in the recall.

Sold at: Juvenile product and mass merchandise stores nationwide, including Toys“R”Us, Babies“R”Us, Walmart.com, and Burlington Coat Factory from January 2007 through March 2009 for between $80 and $110.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled high chairs and contact Evenflo to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.evenflo.com