When’s the best time to start potty training/teaching your child? It’s not just when you’re ready to be so done with diapers. According to researchers at The Bristol-Meyers Squibb Children’s Hospital and at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, you have the best window of opportunity to potty teach when your child is between 24 and 32 months of age. In the study, kids older than 32 months had a greater incidence of bed wetting, day wetting and other I-gotta-go-now urge incontinence issues. And, apparently, before 24 months, many children just aren’t developmentally ready yet. For more about the finding, visit: http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/.
Archive for January, 2010
With Potty Training/Teaching–Timing is Key
Friday, January 29th, 2010
Stroller recalls continue to roll in
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
On January 27, Regal Lager recalled the Ruby, Onyx, and Topaz models of its CYBEX strollers due to the potential for fingertip amputations and laceration hazards from the exposed hinge mechanism, adding this stroller to the roster of recent stroller recalls. One finger fracture was reported. Stop using this stroller if you have it and contact Regal Lager at 800-593-5522, info@regallager.com or www.regallager.com/recalls to receive a free hinge cover retrofit kit. The strollers were sold between August 2009 and November 2009 for $140 to $260. Watch out for this stroller (and other recalled models) at tag sales, consignment shops and other places where secondhand baby gear is sold if you typically shop those venues.
Microbe Myth: Kids need to get sick to build their immune system
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010When my kids were in daycare, I sort felt okay if they picked up every little cold bug that came their way because I had heard that kids need to get sick to build up their immunity. Turns out that’s a myth. While a cold or virus can help prime a child’s immune system, it’s not something your child needs. “Routine vaccinations, including a yearly flu shot, boost kids’ immunities enough,” says Philip M. Tierno Jr., Ph.D., director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University Medical Center in New York City and author of The Secret Life of Germs.
Don’t forget the little stuff on your baby registry
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Put diapers on your baby registry
When you’re registering for baby products, it’s easy to get caught up in what stroller, crib or car seat to put on your wish list. But don’t forget the little stuff such as diapers, diapers and more diapers (but not in the newborn size; you’ll only need one package of those so go ahead and buy those yourself), diaper wipes, diaper rash ointment, breast pads, pacifiers, a nursing bra or two, breast milk storage bags, baby bottle liners, formula (the store brand is just as nutritious as name brands), baby body wash (which doubles as shampoo) and a digital rectal thermometer (a $10 one will do). These practical items may not seem gifty, but they’re nifty—especially when, say–you run out of diapers and discover another package amidst your baby shower bounty, which prevents you from having to dash to the 24-hour pharmacy. (Been there!)
Ditch the Doorway Jumper
Monday, January 25th, 2010
While the idea of giving a very active baby an outlet for his energy may be appealing, the suspension nature of a doorway jumper can invite trouble. Most doorway jumpers accommodate babies up to 25 pounds, starting from when they can hold their head up unassisted. Bungee-style cords or springs suspend the seat from a nonslip clamp so pre-walking babies can jiggle themselves up and down when they push off the floor. Annually, though, jumpers are associated with an estimated 800 injuries to children in the U.S. under age 5, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. But even one is too many. No amount of supervision can keep an infant from crashing to the floor, and that may happen no matter how many times your baby has used the jumper successfully in the past. All told, you’re better off skipping this purchase.
Shout out for dramatic birth stories
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010Did you give birth…in a hurricane? On the way to the hospital? At work? Unexpectedly? (As in–surprise! You didn’t even know you were pregnant.)
For a major parenting magazine, I’m looking for dramatic birth stories like these. If you fit this description or know of anyone who gave birth under extraordinarily dramatic circumstances within the last year, send me your story (sgordon1@mindspring.com). I’ll contact you for an interview. Thank you!
Has your baby outgrown his infant car seat?
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
I can’t help but check out all the cute babies when I’m waiting on line for my splurge latte at my local Starbucks. But lately, my thought process has been something like this: Oh, what a cute baby. But, hm, he’s definitely outgrown that infant car seat. Should I tell his mom that it’s time to trade up?
Fit Tip
Infant car seats are generally meant for babies 30 inches in height or less. But unless you’ve just been to the pediatrician for a well-child check-up, it’s tough to get a read on your baby’s height. Nonetheless, here’s an easy way to gauge if your baby is ready for the next-stage car seat: Look at your baby’s head when he’s sitting in his infant car seat. If his head is at the top or less than an inch from the top of the car seat, it’s time to get a convertible car seat. Use it in the rear-facing position until it’s safe to turn it forward facing, based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. (Keep the instruction manual handy.)
Your baby will outgrow his infant car seat before you know it. Most do by the time they’re 6 to 9 months old.
CPSC’s new safety blog
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
For information on the latest baby product recalls–such as which models of Graco strollers and Dorel cribs are involved in today’s recall and what to do if you have a recalled model–you can visit www.recalls.gov if you don’t already get their notices via their e-mail service. But an even more user-friendly option is CPSC’s new safety blog at http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/.
It’s gives you up-to-date info in an easy-to-read format. Love it!
What’s on your must-have baby gear list?
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010I was recently asked to name my top three baby products for new parents.
That’s not a lot considering all the gear out there to pick and choose from. Baby products are a 9 billion industry in this country.
But here’s what I said:
–A stationary crib (no drop sides) with a super firm tight-fitting mattress. Remember: Use the crib from day in, but room in with your baby for the first 6 months. Your baby spends up to 18 hours/day sleeping, so it’s important to get this right.
–An infant car seat; my fav: the Chicco KeyFit 30. It’s top rated.
–A Snap-N-Go “stroller”: The Chicoo KeyFit 30 is compatible with the Snap-N-Go as well as with other infant car seats. Buying the Snap-N-Go first saves money and gives you time to decide which stroller you want to live with after your baby has outgrown his infant car seat (at about 6 to 9 months old). You’ll know so much more after you’ve spent 6 months being a parent. The stroller you buy at the 6-month mark may need to last you for years, so you want to pick one you love.
Okay, those are my absolute baby product must-haves if I could only name three. What are yours? What could you absolutely not live without? Your top picks can help other parents decide what’s necessary and what’s not.
Give your baby a shot against disease
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010Is your child up to date with her immunizations? According to a new study led by researchers at Columbia Univeristy Medical Cener and NewYork Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, 20 percent of young children in the U.S. are under-immunized. Not having insurance is a factor, but the study didn’t investigate that. Rather, it focused on 705 children of parents with health insurance. Here’s what causes such parents to get off track:
–Scheduling issues: You’re four times as likely to be off schedule with your child’s immunizations if you have to reschedule a pediatrician appointment or have problems scheduling an appointment in the first place.
–Vacillating about vaccines: You’re three times as likely to miss your child’s immunization appointment if you doubt the importance of vaccines, according to the study.
–You can’t talk to your child’s pediatrician. You’re also three times as likely to miss your child’s scheduled shot(s) if you find it difficult to communicate with your child’s pediatrician.
Once you miss a scheduled visit or a visit that should have been scheduled at a specific time, your child is 2.5 times more likely to be under-immunized. To find out if you’re on track, visit the CDC’s 2010 immunization recommendations for children: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm#printable.
If you miss a vaccination, your child can catch up, so don’t let that stop you from getting your child fully immunized.
