Having a new baby is not only a joyous time, but also a stressful time. Being responsible for a life that is completely dependent on you for survival can have you questioning every move and decision you make. Of course you want your child to grow up into a loving, happy, and successful adult, but how? The answer…listen to your inner voice and trust your parenting instincts.
Even early on you will know what is appropriate for your child. Trust your gut that if it doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t. Remember, you are your child’s primary caregiver and know your baby better than anyone else in the world. While well-meaning friends, family, and even healthcare professionals may have a thorough knowledge about babies in general, they don’t know your baby with her unique behaviors and temperament. While they may be giving great advice or recommendations, it may not be necessarily right for your family dynamic.
By now, you’ve probably been inundated with (unsolicited) opinions on how to raise your baby. If not, trust me, it will come. While some of the advice you receive will be accurate and helpful, others may be out of date and can even be dangerous. So how do you decipher good advice from bad? The best action is to educate yourself so that you can make decisions that are best for your family unit. And remember, parenting isn’t black or white, but many shades of grey.
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We were ecstatic when our friends at organicKidz sent us their brand new baby & me nursing covers to try out and review. As a lactation consultant, I have seen a variety of nursing covers, but not one as cleverly designed as this one. I took it to breastfeeding support group for my mamas to try and everyone fell in love with it. One lucky nursing mama received one of her very own to try out and write a review. Here’s what she said:
“When my lactation consultant mentioned she needed someone to review a new nursing cover, I eagerly offered my services. I had been nursing my son for seven months and had yet to discover a nursing cover that fit our needs. I have an easily distracted little boy, who loves the thrash about and yank or kick just about anything he can during a nursing session.
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Over the weekend, I read an article in the paper spotlighting a local entrepreneur who invented a bottle propping device that allows parents to multitask while their baby is feeding. Unfortunately, there was no mention, in the article or on the manufacturer’s website, of the possible safety concerns regarding bottle propping devices. Nor was there any mention of how to use the product in a safe manner.
As a nurse and parent educator, it shocks me to see baby products on the market that are not recommended by health and safety experts. These include some of the most used baby products on the market, such as: sleep positioners, walkers, baby powder, head rests and pillows for car seats, bulky window shades and mirrors for use in the car, and bumper pads. When educating parents on product safety, most are confused as to why these products are on the market if organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Consumer Products Safety Commission (CSPC) all advise against the use of such products.
It has been a goal of mine to reach out to retailers and manufacturers to consult them and educate on safe use of these products. Many of the products can be used in a safe manner if parents are aware of the potential dangers and can take corrective measures to ensure the products are being used safely.
Below is a list of potentially unsafe devices and how to use them in a safer manner:
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It’s that time of year again…a time for family, friends and giving. Our holiday tradition is to have a fabulous giveaway with products to keep your family healthy & safe. Here’s what we’re giving away this year:
Giveaway #1: Green Sprouts Baby & Toddler Bundle
Thanks to our friends at
iplay, Inc for sending us an assortment of goodies from their Green Sprouts product line to share with our much appreciated followers. All Green Sprouts products are made with natural, non-petroleum materials, BPA-free plastics, and PVC-free materials. Plus did we mention how cool and useful we find their products? Here’s what you’re getting:
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