There’s nothing like the thrill of hearing your child speak their first word. But what happens if it doesn’t come? Or when it does come, the rest of the speech is incomprehensible? Do you get worried? Or is it normal? Speech Language Therapist Nedra Saunders breaks it all down for us.

To read more http://breezymama.com/2010/01/25/speech-and-your-kids-getting-them-to-talk-and-recognizing-a-problem/

Johnson & Johnson issued a massive recall recently of over-the-counter drugs including Tylenol, Motrin and St. Joseph’s aspirin because of a moldy smell that has made people sick.  Click here for more information.

Graco Recalls Strollers Due to Fingertip Amputation and Laceration Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Graco’s Passage, Alano and Spree Strollers and Travel Systems

Units: About 1.5 million

Manufacturer: Graco Children’s Products Inc., of Atlanta, Ga.

Hazard: The hinges on the stroller’s canopy pose a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is opening or closing the canopy.

Incidents/Injuries: Graco has received seven reports of children placing their fingers in the stroller’s canopy hinge mechanism while the canopy was being opened or closed, resulting in five fingertip amputations and two fingertip lacerations.

Description: This recall involves Graco Passage, Alano and Spree Strollers and Travel Systems with the following model numbers and specific hinge mechanisms:

Model Numbers
6303MYC, 6303MYC3
7240DNB, 7240DNB2, 7240MKL2, 7240MKL3
7F02GLM3
6320IVY, 6320LAU
7241DDH2, 7241DHO3
7F04TAY3
6330CAP, 6330THR,6330THR3
7255CLP, 7255CLP2, 7255CRA2, 7255CRA3, 7255CSA3, 7255GPK3, 7255GRN, 7255GRN2, 7255JJB3, 7255ORC2, 7255WLO2, 7255WLO3 7F07EMA3
6F00QIN3, 6F00RRY3
7256CLO2, 7256SPM2, 7256SPM3
7F08DSW3, 7F08LAN3
6F03GLN3
7260BAN, 7260BAN2, 7260BAN3, 7260MRA2, 7260MRA3, 7260PKR, 7260PKR2
7G00DLS3, 7G00DLS4
6G10CSE3
7270BIA, 7270BIA2
7G01CRL3
7235GGA, 7235GGA2
7E01JON2, 7E01JON3
7G04KRA3
7236CDR2
7F00LPE3, 7F00RSH3
7G05GPR3, 7G06WSR3
7237HOL2, 7237HOL3
7F01FOR3
7G07ABB3, 7G07BAT3

Graco manufactured two different styles of hinge mechanisms for these stroller models. Only strollers or travel systems with a plastic, jointed hinge mechanism that has indented canopy positioning notches (see photo below) are included in this recall. The recalled strollers were manufactured between October 2004 and February 2008. The model number and manufacture date are located on the lower inside portion of the rear frame, just above the rear wheels.

Sold at: AAFES, Burlington Coat Factory, Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, Kmart, Fred Meyer, Meijers, Navy Exchange, Sears, Target, Walmart and other retailers nationwide from October 2004 and December 2009 for between $80 and $90 for the strollers and between $150 and $200 for the travel systems.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Graco to receive a free protective cover repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Graco at (800) 345-4109 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.gracobaby.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10115.html

A consumer safety group has issued its annual list of the “10 Worst Toys of 2009.”

The group, World Against Toys Causing Harm, or WATCH, is a non-profit organization with a mission to educate the public about the dangers of toys.

Click here to read more:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/wghp-photo-gallery-10-dangerous-toys-091119,0,473801.photogallery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2010
Release # 10-113 

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (877) 728-0342
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 

Drop Side Cribs Recalled by Caramia Furniture Due to Fall and Entrapment Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Diane Crib

Units: About 1,000

Distributors: Caramia Furniture and Mother Hubbard Cupboard’s, of Ontario, Canada

Hazard: The slats on the cribs drop-side can detach from the top and bottom rails, posing fall and entrapment hazards to the child.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 18 reports of slats detaching from the rails of the crib. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Caramia “Diane” drop-side cribs. The cribs were manufactured between September 2002 and June 2004. A label affixed to the inside of the headboard or footboard lists the manufacturing dates.

Sold at: Buy Buy Baby and juvenile product and mass merchandise stores nationwide from September 2002 through December 2005 for between $240 and $370.

Manufactured in: Slovenia

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Diane crib and contact Caramia Furniture to receive a free replacement drop side. The free replacement will be available beginning March 2010.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Caramia at (877) 728-0342 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.caramiafurniture.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10113.html

NO, YOU ARE NOT DREAMING! SLEEP COACH KATHY SINCLAIR SAYS THAT YOUR KID
CAN SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. HERE, SHE GIVES PARENTS THE ABC’S OF ZZZ’S.

MONTH THREE OF SLEEP TRAINING—IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PROCESS

Your baby is now 3 months old and you’ve achieved
the holy grail of sleep training: You are finally
comfortable letting your baby “cry it out.” Now, I don’t
really like the term “cry it out”; it has a bit of a bad stigma. But, cry it out (CIO) isn’t as cruel or rigid as most parents think. Most parents think that CIO means putting Baby into his crib and letting him cry until he falls asleep—which could take hours.

My Sleep Learning approach employs CIO but in a different and more effective way.

Here’s how it goes:

Dim the lights when you are doing the bedtime routine and/or feeding your baby before bed.

After putting your baby into his crib, if he cries, let him cry for five minutes before going into his room. When you go into his room, tell him that he is doing a great job, pat and shush him or even pick him up and cuddle him, but stay no longer than three minutes. Just don’t let your baby fall asleep on you, as this will defeat the purpose of teaching him to fall asleep on his own. After your time is up, leave the room—even if he is still crying.

The next step, assuming that your baby is crying, is to wait 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, go into his room, tell him that he is doing a great job, pat and shush him or even pick him up and cuddle him, but stay no longer than three minutes. Just don’t let your baby fall asleep on you, as this will defeat the purpose of teaching him to fall asleep on his own. After your time is up, leave the room—even if he is still crying.

And now, if your baby is still crying, let him cry for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, go into his room, tell him that he is doing a great job, pat and shush him or even pick him up and cuddle him, but stay no longer than three minutes. Just don’t let your baby fall asleep on you, as this will defeat the purpose of teaching him to fall asleep on his own. After your time is up, leave the room—even if he is still crying.

Starting to see the idea here?

Keep going in every 15 minutes until your baby is asleep. Though I doubt he will, he may cry for up to three hours the first time. Don’t feel bad, though—you are going into his room every 15 minutes to let him know that you are close by. Also, with my approach, you have the option of going into his room every 10 minutes if you just can’t bear the full 15. In fact, I’ve had clients who went into their baby’s room every five minutes and those babies are all sleeping through the night to this day. It’s more about the process than the timing of the intervals.

And while we’re talking about process, let’s go over good bedtime and nap time routines:

I know it’s hard to hear your baby cry, but just remember that he isn’t saying he doesn’t love you anymore or that he’s hungry. All he’s saying is that he doesn’t know what to do—which is why it’s your job to teach him.

Kathy Sinclair, CNCS, CPD, CLE, CHBE, graduated from Australia’s prestigious Charlton Brown Nanny College and began her professional career as a nanny in 1993. Kathy developed her specialty with infant sleep while working as a newborn care specialist in Los Angeles. Currently the founder of Baby Sleep Solutions, Kathy provides one-on-one individualized sleep consultations, leads Mommy & Infant groups for new moms, and lectures on sleep in and around Los Angeles. She lives in Ventura, Calif., with her husband and three dogs. She may be contacted through her website at www.babysleepsolutionsla.com.

BEDTIME STORIES

NO, YOU ARE NOT DREAMING! SLEEP COACH KATHY SINCLAIR SAYS THAT YOUR KID
CAN SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. HERE, SHE GIVES PARENTS THE ABC’S OF ZZZ’S.

THE HOLIDAYS AND SLEEP

Wow! The holidays are
here—and you are
dreading how they’ll
disrupt your now well-trained little sleeper. No need to fear, I’m here to help you get it all sorted out, just in time to enjoy all the fun that the season brings. Just follow my sleep plans for different scenarios and your holidays are guaranteed to be a dream—well, you know, minus the in-laws, the stressful last-minute shopping, overspending and hangovers.

FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT YOUR HOME
This is obviously the best scenario, because your child’s sleep won’t be disrupted that much at all—plus you will be in total control of when and where he sleeps. All you have to do is plan your holiday function around your child’s nap and/or bedtime. Stay firm when you get the puppy-dog eyes from aunts and uncles and the “can’t he stay up just a little longer?” wails from Grandma and Grandpa. If you can commit to your child’s well-being, then you will have a much happier little one on your hands—not to mention how much less stressful it will be for you.

FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT SOMEONE ELSE’S HOME
Yes, this scenario is more difficult than the one above, but not as tricky as you might think (or dread!). It’s you who will have to be disciplined enough to make a plan and stick to it. Stay firm when you get the “why can’t he stay up a little longer?” whines from your family members. Since most of you will likely be sharing your bedroom with your little one, make sure that you bring a portable crib or playpen for him to sleep in. Worst-case scenario: The room is too small and your child has to sleep in the bed with you. If this is the case, just do what you have to do. Having said that, it’s still vital that you keep to his bedtime and do his regular bedtime routine and naptime routine. Try to make the room as dark as possible and take his sound machine with you so he can feel like he’s sleeping in a familiar environment. Your goal is to make the room seem as much like his room at home as possible.

FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN A HOTEL
This scenario is pretty similar to the one above but with a bit of a bonus: You have the privacy of your very own accommodations. If your little one is sharing a room with you, you can place his crib in the bathroom or a big closet and create a makeshift nursery of sorts, minus too many sleep-interrupting distractions. Again, the biggest task is going to be having the discipline to leave dinner or a party in time to get Baby to sleep at his regular bedtime. You might want to stay out, but a cranky baby is no fun for anyone. So, be sure to get your little one the proper rest he needs to ensure that your holidays and his are happy.

With so many things to be thankful for, I would like to wish everyone a Happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!

BEDTIME STORIES

NO, YOU ARE NOT DREAMING! SLEEP COACH KATHY SINCLAIR SAYS THAT YOUR KID
CAN SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. HERE, SHE GIVES PARENTS THE ABC’S OF ZZZ’S.

FAREWELL TO DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME:
FALL BACK INTO A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP WITH THESE EASY-TO-FOLLOW STEPS

  Oh no! It’s that time of year again! Yes, it is daylight saving time.

I can hear you all groaning now. Turning the clock back (this year
on Nov. 1) can wreak havoc in your child’s otherwise normal sleep
patterns. For most children, additional sleep deprivation is not something they can afford. The good news is that there are steps you can take to minimize these disruptions. In fact, by making a few simple lifestyle changes, most children can achieve the sleep they need to feel alert, refreshed and ready to take on the day.

Here are two of the best ways to tackle the fallback—tried and true, of course.

TIME WILL TELL

So, let’s say that on Mondays, your child generally gets up at 7 a.m.—then on Monday, Nov. 2, you should wake him at 7 a.m. It doesn’t matter if it is not “really” 7 a.m. Also, put your baby down at the regular time for his naps—don’t put him down earlier because he is tired. I know this will be difficult to do, but it is in his best interest.

Remember to maintain your child’s regular sleep, wake and nap times. Try not to compensate for the lost hour by delaying bedtime or allowing your child to sleep in. This will increase the time it takes to transition. There may be some crankiness from being tired, but this should last only a day or two.

TAKE 15

Another option is to adjust your child’s schedule by 15 minutes every night for a few nights prior. Let’s say, for example, that your child goes to bed at 7:30 p.m. On Wednesday, Oct. 28, put him to bed 15 minutes earlier than usual at 7:15 p.m., on Thursday at 7 p.m., then Friday at 6:45 p.m., and then on Saturday night, Oct. 31, another 15 minutes, so he will be in bed at 6:30. By this time, you have already adjusted your child’s schedule by the full 60 minutes just in time for the clock switch. Be sure to wake your child at his regular time on Monday morning. This should alleviate any crankiness or tiredness.

One of these ways will definitely work for you and your baby—as I said, I have been using these two strategies for years and they have never failed me yet.

WASHINGTON – More than 2.1 million drop-side cribs by Stork Craft Manufacturing are being recalled, the biggest crib recall in U.S history, following reports of four infant suffocations.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said late Monday the recall involves 1.2 million cribs in the United States and almost 1 million in Canada, where Stork Craft is based. Sales of the cribs being recalled go back to 1993.

Nearly 150,000 of the cribs carry the Fisher-Price logo.

The CPSC said it is aware of four infants who suffocated in the drop-side cribs, which have a side that moves up and down to allow parents to lift children from the cribs more easily. The agency also said there have been 110 incidents of drop-sides detaching from the cribs.

The Stork Craft cribs have had problems with their hardware, which can break, deform or become missing after years. CPSC said there can also be problems with assembly mistakes by the crib owner. These problems can cause the drop-side to detach, creating a dangerous space between the drop-side and the crib mattress, where a child can become trapped.

The commission is urging parents to stop using the cribs until receiving a free repair kit from Stork Craft. The kit will convert the drop-side into a fixed side.

The cribs, which were manufactured and distributed between January 1993 and October 2009, were sold at major retailers including BJ’s Wholesale Club, Sears and Wal-Mart stores and online through Target and Costco. They sold for between $100 and $400, and were made in Canada, China and Indonesia.

Calls to Stork Craft were not immediately returned.

This is the second big recall this year for the company. It recalled about 500,000 cribs in January because of problems with the metal brackets that support the mattress. Some of the same models in the earlier recall were also part of Monday’s announcement, CPSC said.

Consumer advocates have complained for years about drop-side cribs. More than 5 million of them have been recalled over the past two years alone — recalls that were associated with the deaths of a dozen young children.

ASTM International, an organization that sets voluntary industry safety standards for everything from toys to the steel used in commercial buildings, approved a new standard last week that requires four immovable, or fixed, sides for full-size cribs — essentially eliminating the manufacture of drop-side cribs.

CPSC is also considering new rules for making cribs safer and could adopt the ASTM voluntary standard as a mandatory one, outright banning the cribs.

Nancy Cowles, executive director of Chicago-based Kids In Danger, said the agency must include more rigorous testing for crib durability. “Parents should be able to trust that their child is safe in their crib,” said Cowles.

Toys”R”Us started phasing out drop-side cribs earlier this year and will no longer carry them next month.

In the Stork Craft recall, the manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the firm’s name, address and contact information are located on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The firm’s insignia “storkcraft baby” or “storkling” is inscribed on the drop-side teething rail of some cribs.

Consumers can contact the company, 877-274-0277, to order the free repair kit, or log on to http://www.storkcraft.com.

___

On the Net:

Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov