Mental Skills not Affected By Vaccines

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37322938/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

Some parents skip recommended vaccines for their young kids, or space them out because of a fear that giving kids all the recommended vaccines on time will hurt their mental skills later on.

Researchers studied data from more than 1000 preteen kids who had undergone extensive psychological tests of I.Q., memory, attention and language. Then they divided the kids into those who had received all their shots on time in their first year of life and those who got them late, or only got some.

There was no difference in performance between kids who received vaccines late, or got fewer than the recommended vaccines, and those who had the most vaccinations.

Until now, nobody had studied whether getting several vaccinations in a short time could have negative consequences, for instance by overloading the immune system. He found that receiving as many as 10 different shots - including flu and whooping cough - had no impact.

Davis Sugerman, of the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service in Atlanta said, "Parents that are considering delaying vaccination should realize that there aren't any specific benefits, and that they are putting their child at risk, and not only their child but also the community."

Baby Morality

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/magazine/09babies-t.html?pagewanted=1&sq=baby&st=cse&scp=13

In a recent experiment on baby morality, researchers put on a puppet show for a 1-year-old boy in which one puppet played with a ball while interacting with two other puppets. The center puppet would slide a ball to the puppet on the right, who would pass it back. Then, the center puppet would slide the ball to the puppet on the left, who would run away with it. Then the two puppets on the ends were set before the toddler, each next to a pile of treats. The toddler was asked to take a treat away from one puppet. Like most children in this situation, the boy took it from the pile of the "naughty" one. But this punishment wasn't enough - he then leaned over and smacked the puppet in the head.

Psychologists have long argued that we begin life as amoral animals. An important task of society, particularly parents, is to turn babies into civilized beings who can experience empathy, guilt and shame, override selfish impulses in the name of higher principles, and respond with outrage to unfairness and injustice.

However, a growing body of evidence suggests that humans do have a rudimentary moral sense from the very start of life. With the help of experiments, we can see bits of moral thought, judgement and feeling, even in the first year of life. Still, socialization is very important because the sense of right and wrong that babies and young children naturally possess diverges in important ways from what adults generally want it to be.

Study Shows Babies Learn While Asleep

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37198227/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

Babies learn quickly, even while they are asleep, a new study reveals. This ability may be crucial for newborns to adapt to the world around them and help ensure their survival, as they spend most of their time asleep.

In experiments with 26 sleeping infants, each just a day or two old, scientists played a musical tone followed by a puff of air to their eyes 200 times over the course of a half hour, and recorded the babies' brain activity during the experiment.

The babies rapidly learned that they could expect a puff of air after hearing the tone, showing a quadruple average increase in the chances of tightening their eyelids in response to the sound by the end of each session.

The learned response with their eyes depends on the part of the brain known as the cerebellum. In autism and dyslexia, there are abnormalities linked with the cerebellum, suggesting this kind of study may offer a new way to identify at-risk infants at a very early age.

Rashti & Rashti Giraffe Blanket Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml10/10235.html

Rashti & Rashti, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, announced a voluntary recall of about 44,000 Giraffe Security Blankets. Consumers should stop using this product immediately.

This recall involves the pink "I Love You" security blanket with a giraffe plush head. The blanket measures about 14 inches x 14 inches. "I Love You" is embroidered on the blanket. The style number of this item, Y22230H and "Just One Year a division of Carter's" are sewn into a label on the blanket.

This product is being recalled because the balls on top of the giraffe's horns can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

This blanket was sold exclusively at Target stores from January 2009 through August 2009 for about $9. It was manufactured in China. Consumers should immediately take the recalled blankets away from children and contact Rashti & Rashti for a full refund. For more informations, contact Rashti & Rashti at (888) 594-3730 or visit the company's website at www.rashtiandrashti.com

Rite Aid Introduces New Baby Care Line, Tugaboos

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/rite-aid-introduces-tugaboos-new-private-brand-baby-care-line-2010-05-20?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Rite Aid is now introducing it's new private brand baby care line, Tugaboos. Tugaboos diapers are now available at all Rite Aid stores and compare in quality to the national brands at a much lower price.

Tugaboos uses a new diaper design technology for additional absorbency and leakage protection, and offers a money-back customer satisfaction guarantee. Tugaboos overs jumbo and overnight diapers and trainers, which are hypoallergenic. Creams, lotions and wipes will also be added to this line of baby care products.

Parents and caretakers can earn $1 off coupons for watching short informational videos about Tugaboos Premium Diapers and Tugaboos Training Pants on Rite Aid's Video Values online savings program at www.riteaid.com. Receive $5 Rite Aid Bonus Coupon when you earn 20 video credits. Some videos are worth multiple credits.

How to Feed Baby for Less

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j8ADV03093U0YFrkV4vRWDlZR5XQD9FQM6J85

Feeding a newborn is relatively inexpensive if you nurse, but gets pricey if you use formula. As your child get older and you start buying baby food, costs get even higher.

The accessories needed for breastfeeding - pumps, special bras, nursing pads, a nursing pillow, and storage containers - can get expensive. To save money, buy specialized equipment second hand through parents groups or by borrowing it from friends.

If you use formula, powder is the best deal. A 24-ounce can of name-brand powder makes about 170 ounces of liquid and costs about $25. The same volume of liquid formula typically costs $40-plus. Register at formula makers' websites to get free samples and coupons. You can also save by using store-brand powder, which is usually $15-$20 a can and is held to the same federal standards as name-brand.

When your child is ready for solids - there is a variety of prepackaged baby food available. Sometimes the convenience of jarred food can't be beat, but it can cost $1 an ounce. Buying baby food online can save you up to 75%. An even cheaper, and often healthier, option is to make your own baby food with fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans and proteins. Grind cooked food in a specialized mill, which costs $10-$38 and comes in manual or electric versions, or use a food processor or immersion blender.

You can give your baby a mashed version of almost anything the rest of the family eats, enabling you to cook just one meal for the whole family. Experts just caution that you ensure your puree is the right consistency - quite thin for youngest babies, thicker as babies get older, and no chunks until babies have teeth.

Baby-Sitting Co-ops On the Rise

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/17/1950591/baby-sitting-co-ops-regain-popularity.html

With the state of the economy and high price of baby-sitters, parents are recycling an old solution: baby-sitting cooperatives.

Usually formed between friends with kids, the co-op is basically free babysitting by parents, for parents. You earn points for watching other people's children, and cash them in when you need some kid-free time.

Gary Myers, author of "Smart Mom's Baby-Sitting Co-op Handbook," suggests starting a co-op with two or three friends, then expanding to at least 10 people, so "you'll have coverage at all times."

Parents are using the internet to help start baby-sitting co-ops. HiveMoms is a website dedicated to baby-sitting co-ops and play dates, launched last summer by Kareen Looi. The website helps parents start co-ops and suggests a standard set of bylaws governing things like points per hour.

Baby Sunscreen Tips

http://www.latimes.com/news/health/sns-health-suncreen-safety-questioned,0,486931.story

Sunscreen is recommended for infants older than 6 months by everyone from the National Institutes of Health to the American Academy of Pediatrics, but there's growing concern by advocacy groups, parents and some doctors that some of the chemicals in the products are endocrine disruptors and may pose risks to children.

The U.S. FDA is expected to issue the final rules in October. Environmental Working Group, which plans to release it's third annual sunscreen safety report May 25, recommends against using any product containing the ingredient oxybenzone.

Oxybenzone is approved by the FDA, but tests evaluating it have been done on healthy adults in the middle of life. Dr. Alan Greene, author of "Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care", said "We don't know the impact of kids and babies who get at least three times the concentration as adults."

Dr. Michael Smith, chair of the AAP section on dermatology said, "We are very comfortable with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide agents." Still, these may have their own issues. They may contain nanoparticles that have limited safety studies, may be dangerous if inhaled, and may pose a risk to the environment.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide-based sunscreen that do not contain nanoparticles are generally thicker and whiter than those that do. Avoid non-sprays or powders all together, especially near the face because the particles can be inhaled into the lungs.

For babies 6 months or older, the AAP recommends products with a rating of SPF 30 or more with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, or one that protects against both ultraviolet A and B rays.

Avoid products that combine bug repellent and sunscreen. Bug repellent isn't known to be safe for frequent application.

Safety Concerns Over New Pampers

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36972785/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating Pampers with Dry Max after some parents complained that the new Proctor & Gamble Co. diapers appear to be the cause of rashes and chemical burns on their children.

Pampers recently changed it's Swaddlers and Cruisers diapers to be thinner and more absorbent, in what the company calls it's biggest diaper innovation in 25 years.

Proctor & Gamble said it has shared it's safety data with the CPSC and stands by it's product. "There's no evidence that a single baby has experienced a serious skin safety issue as a result of Dry Max," said Brian McCleary, a spokes man for P&G's baby care division.

Every day, about 2.5 million babies in the U.S. have diaper rash. 10% of those cases are severe with deep red coloring, blisters and/or breaks in the skin. Many parents, including members of a Facebook group called, "Pampers bring back the OLD CRUISERS/SWADDLERS," say that they have only seen these skin issues with their children after using Pampers with Dry Max, and not with other diapers, including the old versions of Cruisers and Swaddlers.

Pediatric dermatologists contacted by Pampers confirmed the company's findings that the product is as safe as the previous version. Still, many parents remain convinced that the new Pampers are the cause of their children's problems and have switched to other products. The Facebook group, which had about 1,000 members mid-April, was up to 3,700 members as of early May.

Dangers of Drop-Side Cribs

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37025387/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

In the past nine years, at least 32 young children have strangled or suffocated due to defects and other problems of drop-side cribs. There have also been hundreds of incidents caused by or related to drop-side detachments in cribs made by various manufacturers, according to the CPSC.

Drop-side cribs tend to be less structurally sound than cribs with four fixed-sides. The drop-side, which moves up and down to allow parents to lift children from the cribs more easily, can break, deform or detach, creating a dangerous gap between the crib mattress and dropped side. In the past 5 years, the CPSC has announced 11 recalls involving more than 7 million drop-side cribs due to suffocation and strangulation hazards.

Some of the 32 deaths occurred when the drop side detached without caregivers noticing. Other deaths happened when a consumer tried to repair a drop-side crib or a crib's drop-side was installed incorrectly due to confusing or incorrect directions.

170,000 Drop-Side Cribs Recalled

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36993142/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

About 170,000 drop-side cribs are being recalled after 6 infants were injured. The cribs were manufactured in Italy, Latvia, Brazil, China and Vietnam and distributed nationwide between January 200 and March 2010 under the names C&T International, Sorelle and Golden Baby.

Faulty hardware can cause the cribs' drop sides to partially or fully detach. If they partially detach, a space is created between the side and mattress where a child can be trapped and strangled. If they fully detach, the child can fall out of the crib. The crib's slats also detach, allowing children to be trapped or fall.

There have been 104 reports of detached drop-sides and slats on these cribs, including 11 reports of infant being trapped or falling. Of these, 6 suffered bruises and cuts.

Doctors Believe Health Myths

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1948242

A new survey of pediatricians has found that 76% believe in one or more dangerous health myths.

When asked 12 questions relating to babies' health, only 24% of the 1002 pediatricians surveyed answered all questions correctly. Another 39% incorrectly answered one question.

Among the findings:

• One third of the pediatricians said it was safe to put a baby to sleep on his side. This is untrue, the baby would be at risk of crib death.

• One third also said a burn can be treated with ice. Ice can actually cause injury to the skin.

• More than 8% believed that colds, which are respiratory viruses, are not often spread by contact with infected body parts or surfaces.

• 6% did not know that chicken pox is contagious before the rash appears.

The doctors also believed many old wives' tales. Among those, 16% said carrots would improve a child's vision, and 8% said chocolate causes acne.

Recall of Gap Baby Swimsuit

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9FDIDQO5.htm

Gap, Inc., along with the Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of 7,000 baby swimsuits due to a possible strangulation hazard.

Gap said two consumer complaints have been received though no injuries have been reported. The swimsuits pose a strangulation risk because they have halter straps that were made too short. This causes the plastic ring at the neck of the suit to press against the child's throat, which could obstruct the airway.

The recall affects about 6,500 suits in the U.S. and 480 in Canada sold at babyGap, GapKids, Gap, Gap Outlet stores and online at gap.com from February through April at prices between $17 and $20. The suits were sold in two styles: #706260, a blue and white suit, and #700452, a red and white suit. The suits were sold in infant sizes up to 24 months. Consumers are advised to look for the number on labels on the swimsuits.

Consumers should stop using the products immediately and take them to their place of purchase for a full refund. Contact Gap at (888) 747-3704 or visit gap.com for more information.

Recall of Baby Medicine

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Baby-Medicines-Massive-Recall-Of-Johnson--Johnson-Products-Made-By-McNeil-Consumer-Healthcare/Article/201005115623926?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_3&lid=ARTICLE_15623926_Baby_Medicines%3A_Massive_Recall_Of_Johnson__Johnson_Products_Made_By_McNeil_Consumer_Healthcare

More than 40 baby and child medicines are being recalled after "manufacturing deficiencies" were found at one of Johnson & Johnson's plants.

Hundreds of thousands of products are affected by this recall including liquid versions of Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl in homes and stores across the country. These medicines have also been exported to 9 other countries - Canada, the Dominican Republic, Dubai, Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and Kuwait.

The recall was sparked when inspectors conducted a routine inspection of Johnson Division Mcneil Consumer Healthcare plant in Fort Washington, Philadelphia. A spokesman for the FDA said the plant's manufacturing process was "not in control" - meaning that procedures were flawed which could affect the composition of medicine.

The FDA recommends that parents stop using these products, but also said the potential for serious health problems was "remote". FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said, "While the potential for serious health problems is remote, Americans deserve medications that are safe, effective and of the highest quality. We are investigating the products and facilities associated with this recall and will provide updates as we learn more."

NURTRIA - BabyVision, Inc. Introduces Feeding Line

(Poughkeepsie, NY) – As part of its ever expanding product offering, BabyVision recently introduced a new premium feeding line called Nurtria. This new brand offers safe, easy, and convenient feeding solutions. Nurtria gives customers a range of affordable, BPA-free feeding products from breastfeeding through bottles and toddler cups.

As a successful designer and marketer of a variety of baby products under other brand names such as Luvable Friends and Hudson Baby, the development team at BabyVision brings a strong history of creating products that mothers and caregivers want at prices that are sure to please. After surveying the bottles and feeding market owner Shreenivas Shah felt that there was a lack of competitively priced, premium quality bottles and feeding products.

With that opportunity in mind, the design and sourcing teams set to work on the production of an introductory offering of more than 20 products across all ages and stages of development. This new premium brand includes pastel tinted and clear bottles with whimsical artwork, bright multi-colored flip-top straw cups, a manual breast pump, and other accessories such as nipples and anti-colic rings.

All Nurtria bottles feature a wide neck, contoured shape, and easy grip. There is even a trainer bottle with removable handle that provides an easy transition from bottle to cup. Nurtria also introduces the innovative self-sterilizing bottle to the US market. The self-sterilizing bottles requires no other equipment and can be sterilized in a microwave with the bottle cap. The process is as simple as microwaving the bottle upside down, with water in the cap, for 90 seconds. For babies prone to suffering from colic, Nurtria offers anti-colic bottles as well as anti-colic rings which can be added to any Nurtria bottle. For breastfeeding mothers, another great item is the Nurtria manual breast pump, which makes pumping milk easy and gentle on sore breasts. The continuous vacuum regulation allows a mother to adjust the vacuum to suit her comfort. This pump's funnel is designed to encompass breasts of different sizes. The soft silicone inner cushion provides additional comfort.

Nurtria continues BabyVision's “Commitment to offering quality products at an affordable price,” says company President and Founder, Shreenivas Shah. “Many of our buyers have been very enthusiastic about our new line, eager to place orders in advance of the product launch in January 2010. There is definitely a need in the market for this level of quality at the great prices we are offering.”

Based in Poughkeepsie, NY, BabyVision, Inc. is a designer, marketer and distributor of baby clothes and baby care products for today's parents and caregivers. Founded in 1998 upon a commitment to delivering great values to families, the company aims to keep its baby products cute, safe, and affordable. BabyVision is constantly refreshing and expanding the product line from its brands, Luvable Friends, Hudson Baby and now the new Nurtria brand. For more information about available products or wholesale prices, please visit www.babyvision.com or email sales@babyvision.com.