Recall of Some Children's and Infant's Tylenol

http://children.webmd.com/news/20090924/some-childrens-infants-tylenol-recalled

McNeil Consumer Healthcare is recalling certain lots of children's and infant's Tylenol after bulk raw material was found to be tainted with B. cepacia bacteria. A voluntary recall has been implemented at the warehouse and retail levels, not at consumer level. None of the tainted raw material was used in the production of any finished product according to McNeil Consumer Healthcare. The company said the likelihood of a serious medical event is "remote".

Below is a list of the items recalled. The lot number is on the bottom of the box containing the liquid product and also on the sticker that surrounds the product bottle. 

• Children's Tylenol Plus Cold MS Suspension 4 oz. Grape

                UPC # 300450391049

                Code # 3910400

                Lot  # SBM041, SBM067, SCM037, SDM027, SEM109

• Children's Tylenol Suspension 4 oz. Grape

                UPC# 300450296047

                Code # 2960400

                Lot # SBM042, SCM015, SCM036, SDM034

• Children's Tylenol Suspension 4 oz. Bubble Gum

                UPC # 300450407047

                Code # 4070400

                Lot # SBM043, SBM044, SCM029

• Children's Tylenol Suspension 4 oz. Strawberry

                UPC # 300450493040

                Code # 4930400

                Lot # SBM045, SCM011, SCM030, SDM035

• Infants' Tylenol Grape Suspension Drops 1/4 oz.

                UPC# 300450122407

                Code # 1224000

                Lot # SBM064, SCM033, SDM020

• Infants' Tylenol Suspension 1/2 oz. Cherry

                UPC # 300450186157

                Code # 1861500

                Lot # SBM065, SCM005, SCM006, SDM032

• Children's Tylenol Dye Free Suspension 4 oz. Cherry

                UPC # 300450166043

                Code # 1660400

                Lot # SBM066, SCM068

• Children's Tylenol Suspension 4oz. Cherry

                UPC Code # 300450123046

                Code # 1230400

                Lot # SBM068, SCM035, SCM070, SCM080, SDM005

• Children's Tylenol Plus Cough & Runny Nose 4 oz. Cherry

                UPC # 300450249043

                Code # 2490400

                Lot # SBM069, SBM070, SCM081, SDM006

• Infants' Tylenol Suspension Drops 1/2 oz. Grape

                UPC # 300450122155Code # 1221500

                Lot # SCM012, SCM067, SDM007, SDM068

• Children's Tylenol Plus Flu 4oz. Bubble Gum

                UPC # 300450386045

                Code # 3860400

                Lot # SCM013, SCM014, SCM069

• Children's Tylenol Plus Cold Suspension 4 oz. Grape

                UPC # 300450387042

                Code # 3870400

                Lot # SCM016, SFM024

• Children's Tylenol Plus Cough/ST Suspension 4 oz. Cherry

                UPC # 300450247049

                Code # 2470400

                Lot # SCM017

• Infants'  Tylenol Suspension Drops 1 oz. Grape

                UPC # 300450122018

                Code # 1220100

                Lot # SCM082, SDM039, SDM040

• Infants' Tylenol Dye Free Suspension 1 oz. Cherry

                UPC # 300450167019

                Code # 1670100

                Lot # SCM083, SCM084, SDM008

• Children's Tylenol Pediatric Suspension 1 oz. Cherry

                UPC # 300450123015

                Code # 1230100

                Lot # SDM064

• Infants' Tylenol Suspension Drops 1 oz. Cherry

                UPC # 300450186300

                Code # 1863000

                Lot # SDM038, SDM009

• Children's Tylenol Plus Cold/Allergy 4 oz. Bubble Gum

                UPC # 300450390042

                Code # 3900400

                Lot # SDM033

• Infants' Tylenol Drops 1 oz. Grape

                UPC # 300450122100

                Code # 1221000

                Lot # SDM078

• Infants' Tylenol Grape Suspension Drops H/G 1/2 oz.

                UPC # 350580144183

                Code # 1221800

                Lot # SCM034

• Children's Tylenol Suspension 4 oz. Cherry, Hospital Gov't.

                UPC # 350580123034

                Code # 1230300

                Lot # SDM028

What is Colic and What to do About it

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/crying-colic-9/what-is-colic

The definition of colic is a healthy, well-fed infant who cries for more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks. Despite many studies, no single cause for colic has been found, therefore there is no single way to help it. 

Some theories on the cause of colic are digestive problems, reflux, an immature digestive system, air in intestinal tract, increased hormone levels, hypersensitivity to environment, immature nervous system. 

Before trying to treat colic, check for other more serious reasons why baby could be fussy. To help treat colic, start with changes in feeding, such as changing formula type, avoiding certain foods (such as caffeine) while breast feeding, change the type of bottle or nipples used, burp baby frequently. 

If none of these things work, try making changes in sensory stimulation. Swaddle baby, take them for a ride in the car, use white noise such as radio static next to crib, try classical music, put a warm water bottle of baby's belly. 

Remember that having a baby with colic is very challenging, and it is normal to have feelings of resentment toward the baby. These feelings are common, and nothing to feel guilty about, but if you think your anger could cause you to hurt the baby, get help immediately. 

Enforcing Bedtime Improves Kid's Health

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/14/bedtime.children/index.html?iref=newssearch

Setting bedtimes can improve sleep quality and quantity for infants and toddlers. Not getting enough affects children's behavior, memory, attention, and emotional well-being. 

Letting a baby or child stay up late may seem like a good idea because it seems that they will sleep more soundly when they do go to bed, but this is often not the case. Many times they sleep less soundly and take longer to fall asleep when over-tired. Routines such as a bath, cuddling or singing a lullaby help infants sleep better, and improve sleep issues for children. 

Experts warn not to use medication to help children sleep. There can be dangerous side effects, and medications often mask the real issues. Behavior changes should be made instead. 

Fertility Treatments Causing More Multiple Births

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/LifeStages/Story?id=3454839&page=4

Today more women are postponing marriage and using fertility treatments. In the past 3 decades the average age of women at birth of their child rose from 24.6 years to 27.2 years. The largest increase in birthrate was in women in their 30s and 40s. With a jump in birthrate from 2%-9.1%. 

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 1980-2002 the incidence of twins jumped 65%. The rate of identical twins, twins born from one eggs that splits, has remained unchanged. The increase has been in fraternal twins, twins born from 2 separate eggs and 2 sperm. 

Hormone treatments stimulate the ovaries to produce more than 1 egg. For in vitro fertilization, the doctor re-implants multiple eggs to increase a woman's chance of conception. These things also increase a woman's chance of a multiple birth.

Woman in Embryo Mix-up Gives Birth

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/unintended-surrogate-mom-wrong-embryo-faces-heartbreak-birth/story?id=8675885

Last February, a hospital mix-up caused the fertilized embryo of Shannon Morell to be placed in the womb of Carolyn Savage, another woman who was also trying to get pregnant. Savage agreed to carry the baby boy to term and give him to Morell. 

"Were trying to look at it as a gift for another family that 8 months ago we didn't know" said Savage. "We will wonder about this child for the rest of our lives". The Morells said that Savage was a "guardian angel" and they will be "eternally grateful". 

Both families are dealing with this very difficult situation with civility and kindness, but neither has ruled out legal action against the clinic. 

Parents Clueless with Older Babies

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20080505/new-baby-leaves-many-parents-clueless

While there are numerous parenting books telling people what to expect when they're pregnant, many parents are unsure of what to expect as their child develops and what kind of help to give them. This can result in poor parent-child interactions. 

After a series of questions and tests, 31% of parents were assessed to have low parenting knowledge. Parents who do not understand how a child develops are less likely to engage their children in enrichment activities such as singing and storytelling. 

The study concludes that parents and pediatricians need to communicate better to promote healthy physical, social and emotional development in children.

Baby Shower Hosting Tips

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/18/earlyshow/living/main5319438.shtml

Hosting a memorable and special baby shower is easy with a little creativity. Here are some affordable ways to make your baby shower unforgettable.

A unique way to do invitations is to give each guest an insert in their invitation where they write any advice they have for the parents-to-be and bring it to the shower where the parents can collect them to put in a keepsake book.

Baby socks can be a fun shower favor. Just buy inexpensive baby socks and fill with candy to hand out to guests. For food put out a pickles-and-ice cream spread.

For a shower game, decorating bodysuits can be fun for everybody. Just buy several white bodysuits and fabric markers and have guest create their own designs for your baby. Another hilarious game is to give guests pictures of the parents and have them cut out pieces and rearrange to guess what the baby will look like.

Study Finds Spanking Damaging to Children

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/16/spanking.children.parenting/index.html?iref=newssearch

A new study of more than 2,500 toddlers found that spanking may have adverse effects on children's behavior and mental development.

Lisa Berlin, the study's lead author and research scientist at the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University said, "(infants and toddlers) just don't understand enough about right or wrong or punishment to benefit from being spanked".

The study found that children who were spanked at 1 year old behaved more aggressively at age 2, and did not perform as well as other children on a test measuring thinking skills at age 3. 

Some experts still say the spanking is appropriate sometimes. Spanking was found to be more effective than 10 of 13 alternative methods of discipline for getting a child to behave.

The best use of spanking, one expert says, is in children ages 2-6 when other milder methods of discipline, such as time out, fail.

Clarks Infant and Child Shoe Recall

http://www.examiner.com/x-18897-Pittsburgh-Baby--Toddler-Gear-Examiner~y2009m9d18-Choking-hazard-prompts-Clarks-infant-child-shoe-recall

After 6 reports of pieces of the rubber sole detaching, Clarks Kids and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have announced the recall of about 2000 children's shoes. No children were injured, but 2 were found chewing on the broken off rubber pieces. 

Among the shoes recalled were Little Crawler Blue and Tan Crawlers, India Sparker White Crawler, Kirstin Baby Pink Crawler, and Hazy Dazy White Sandal. The Crawlers were sold in infant sizes 2 - 3 1/2, and the Hazy Dazy Sandal was sold in 4 - 6 1/2.

These shoes were sold across the country between February and July of this year. Consumers can return the shoes to the nearest Clarks for a full refund. For more information, visit the Clarks website at http://www.clarkskidsusa.com/.

Gene May Cause Infant Seizures

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13364060

Researchers at the University of Utah have discovered a gene that may lead to fever-induced seizures and contribute to a severe form of epilepsy called Dravets syndrome in infants younger than 6 months old. 

The gene affects sodium channels in the brain. Most anti-convulsant drugs block sodium to stop a seizure. This doesn't work on infants with the gene, and may make the seizure worse. 

This discovery may help in developing more effective drugs to treat children with fever-induced or febrile seizures or Dravets syndrome. It offers hope for infants with debilitating seizures. 

Abortion Increases Risk of Premature Baby Later

http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/19971

A Canadian study has found that having one abortion in the 1st or 2nd trimester increases the risk of having a premature baby later by 36%, and increases risk of having a low weight baby by 35%. Mothers who have had more than one abortion have a 93% risk of having a premature baby, and 72% risk of having an underweight baby. 

The authors of this study say the most likely reason for this is the physical damage to the cervix caused by older methods of abortion. 

A spokesman for Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said the college wished to "underline the importance of support for women's choices and the need for sensitivity in counseling women about termination of pregnancy in line with current research evidence".

The college called for further studies and said it would consider the new research when updating it's abortion guidelines.

ABCFavors Improves Offering

http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Business/ABCFavors_Announces_Enhancement_Of_Inventory_In_New_Products_Section_371842.html

ABCFavors, a virtual shop window offering a variety of baby shower items, has announced that it will be taking measures to improve it's product offering, be more environmentally responsible, and carry high quality, low priced items. 

The new product section of the site will be updated constantly. Shoppers will be presented with many lower priced favors, games and supplies. The company will also be reusing all shipping containers and packaging material received by them. It also encourages clients to purchase personalized seed favors to grow flowers. 

Supplies, favors and more are available at www.abcfavors.com

Don't Touch Baby Signs

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/09/swine-flu-baby.html

A Tampa couple, who are parents of 1-year-old triplets were tired of people holding and touching their babies without washing their hands first. This inspired them to create and market signs reading "Wash hands before touching baby". 

Shaped like stop signs, they are small and can be hung on cribs, strollers, car seats, or wherever the parents wish. For parents concerned about swine flu, these signs may be especially helpful.

The company, Hands Off Baby, also makes T-shirts for parents and bibs and bodysuits for babies that carry the reminder. 

Stroller tags sell at hospital gift stores for $4.99, or can be ordered online.

Fortified Formula May Boost IQ

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/09/breast-milk-formula-dha-ara-iq.html

The fatty acids DHA and ARA, present in breast milk, help boost baby's IQ by building connections among neurons in the developing brain. A new study published in the journal Child Development finds that adding the 2 fatty acids to formula also benefits babies - under the right circumstances. 

Researchers subjected 202 9-month-olds to a series of problem solving tests. Some received formula fortified with DHA and ARA, some received regular formula. There were 3 groups of babies, all on formula - some since birth, some since 6 weeks, and some since 4-6 months. For babies in the first 2 groups, the ones given the enhanced formula did significantly better than the ones given regular formula. Of the babies given enhanced formula, 51% in the first group and 46% in the second group were able to complete all 3 tests successfully. Of the babies given regular formula,  only 29% in the first group and 13% in the second group were able to do the same. 

Babies in the 3rd group, who switched from breast milk to formula at 4-6 months, did not seem affected by the fatty acids. They performed equally well whether they were given the fortified formula or not. Researchers speculated that the babies had been fed the naturally enhanced breast milk for so long that the enhanced formula was unnecessary. 

Scientists are still not sure exactly how DHA and ARA contribute to higher IQ, but they think that these fatty acids collect in the central nervous system, speeding brain processing. It has also been suggested that they bolster the brain's prefrontal cortex, making it easier for infants to shift focus from one problem to another, helping them complete more complicated tasks. 

New Baby Food Pouch From Plum Organics

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS141923+10-Sep-2009+PRN20090910

Plum Organics, the leading organic baby food brand in the U.S., introduces Baby Food Pouches - portable pouches that naturally preserve flavors and freshness without additives or preservatives. Plum Organics is the first in the country to use this format.

Baby Pouches contain blends of USDA organic baby food made from 100% fruits and vegetables with no added sugar, juice concentrates, colors or flavors. The pouch is BPA free and pours easily onto a spoon, eliminating the worry of cross-contamination from dipping a spoon over and over.

Baby Pouches offer parents flexibility and convenience, as well as nutritional quality. They are available at Babies R' Us and Toys R' Us locations nationwide and at Babiesrus.com