Gadabout Media » Parenting

44,000 Pink Giraffe Security Blankets Recalled

Gayla Baer — Wed, 19 May 2010 16:32:32 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Rashti & Rashti on Tuesday announced a voluntary recall of approximately 44,000 pink giraffe security blankets sold exclusively at Target stores because they pose a choking hazard, according to a May 18 CPSC press release.

No injuries have been reported, but consumers are advised to immediately take the recalled blankets away from children and contact the blanket importer, Rashti & Rashti, for a full refund.

The recalled security blanket is 14 inches wide by 14 inches in length. It is pink with a plush giraffe head. "I Love You" is embroidered on the blanket.

"Style number Y22230H and ‘Just One Year a division of Carter’s’ are sewn into a label on the blanket," according to the CPSC.

The recalled blankets were manufactured in China and were sold exclusively at Target stores from January 2009 through August 2009 for about $9.

Rashti & Rashti also provides a list of answers to common questions regarding the recall here.

Contact information:

Rashti & Rashti’s toll-free number: 888-594-3730

Rashti & Rashti’s recall notification website: www.rashtiandrashti.com

Rashti & Rashti’s page to process your return order: www.rashtiandrashti.com/recall_giraffe.asp?ID=Return

Is Your County Healthy for Your Baby?

Katelyn Thomas — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:46:35 +0000

The University of Wisconsin has put together a county health rankings report that lists counties by health for all fifty states. (You can search the report by state or by county.) I couldn’t believe that Baltimore City was the unhealthiest county in Maryland! I would have thought an outlying county with a very poor population would have been the one to hold that title. Then, I realized that they included crime as part of the equation. I guess it makes sense. Homicide is certainly not good for your health.

Photo: SXC

A few of the other factors include teen pregnancy, air pollution, liquor store density and single-parent households. I agree with most of them, but I don’t think single parents necessarily raise less healthy children.

Overall, I think the report is a pretty useful way to check the health of a county to see if it is a candidate for a nice place to raise your family. However, I don’t think it shows the whole picture and I don’t agree with some of the data it chose to use to make its findings.

If you use the report to look at your county’s health, be sure that you also consider:

Cultural advantages
School system quality
Proximity to family and friends

Baby Gadgets New Moms Actually Use

Katelyn Thomas — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 02:08:50 +0000

New moms get an awful lot of gadgets and gear for their babies. But does a mom really need those gadgets? Maybe you should just get another ruffly baby dress for a shower gift instead. Before you head to the baby clothes, here are a few baby gadgets I’ve seen new moms use again and again.

Photo via Amazon.com

Wipes warmer – Yup. It might seem silly to you. But to a baby, a warm wipe feels pleasant and a cold one feels…cold. Several new moms who were sure they didn’t want one and left it off their shower list went out and bought a wipes warmer a few days after they came home with their little ones.
Baby monitor – This one can literally be a life saving gadget and every new mom wants one. If it has a video component, even better.
Car seat cover – Parents in cold climates need to keep their babies warm when they’re outside. They also need to keep them safe with a car seat. A car seat cover, which is basically a snowsuit for the baby and his or her car seat combined, does the trick.

Do you have a baby gadget that you consider to be essential for every new mom?

Re-Think Earrings for Toddlers

Katelyn Thomas — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:32:50 +0000

Many parents who pierce an infant’s ears don’t consider toddler safety when they’re putting those cute little studs in. I wouldn’t have thought of it either, until I met an earring eating toddler. If you do decide to pierce your infant’s ears, be aware that formerly safe earrings can be dangerous for a curious little toddler with clever hands. You may want to either stop having your child wear earrings until she is a bit older or just save them for special occasions where you can supervise your child’s little hands and mouth.

Screw Back Earrings Can Be a Bit Safer Than Other Types.

Parents who do decide to still have their toddlers wear earrings should consider switching them out for screw on posts, which will be a bit harder for them to remove.

Sign for Babies Sunday – Cat

Katelyn Thomas — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:05:48 +0000

Last week, we taught our babies to sign dog. But what do you do if the family pet is a cat? The sign for cat is almost as easy as the sign for dog. You will need to bring your hand up to your cheek, put your thumb and forefinger together in a pinching gesture and then pull your hand away as if you are sliding it along a whisker. Hmm. That sounds complicated, but it is really easy.

Here’s another really cute signing video that demonstrates the cat sign:

Five Things the Hospital Should Do With Your Newborn

Katelyn Thomas — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:47:51 +0000

I don’t believe I even have to write this, but I’ve heard a few stories lately that made me realize that some new moms and their newborns are getting substandard care. They think that because they are on some form of medical assistance because they are unemployed or underemployed in today’s economy, they should be grateful for the care and not ask any questions. Sure, you should be grateful for good care, but asking questions if you feel uneasy and asking until you get a real answer is not being ungrateful. It is being proactive about your child’s well being. Your baby should get a good start in life.

Photo: SXC

Here are five things the hospital should do with your new baby to make sure it is getting the best start possible:

Check breathing – If you get a c-section, the doctor or nurse may need to do some suction or give oxygen to your baby. Checking your baby’s breathing is important.
Check reflexes – Doctors need to check quite a few of your baby’s reflexes to make sure he or she will be able to eat, sleep and do other things normally.
Get a weight – Your baby should be weighed at birth, but did you know the doctor or nurse should also weigh your little one right before the two of you check out of the hospital? This allows the doctor to be sure your baby is thriving.
Check limb circulation – This is very simple, but essential. You want to be sure the blood is flowing properly to all those little fingers and toes.
Examine anything that isn’t completely normal. A discolored hand the baby is holding a bit funny or slightly yellowed skin should be looked into by the doctor, not dismissed.

If the hospital doesn’t do those things, which are the bare minimum, start asking for them to get done. Ask until someone does them. And if you get too tired to keep asking, ask someone else to start asking for you. A good hospital will do those things when the baby is born and will do some of them, like checking weight and doing a quick exam to make sure everything looks okay, again before the baby goes home.

Sign for Babies Sunday – Dog

Katelyn Thomas — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:55:08 +0000

Last week, our babies learned to sign more to let us know they would like a refill on Cheerios, juice, etc. This week, I thought we’d have fun learning a sign for the family pet. This is one of the easiest signs to remember, since we often use it when we’re calling our dogs to us anyway. Just pat your thigh. Yup. That’s it. I don’t think you can make it any easier!

You don’t really need a video to show you how to sign dog, but this one’s so cute I had to use it:

Introducing Toddlers to Snow

Katelyn Thomas — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:49:27 +0000

You can’t wait to get your toddler out into the snow, but he has other ideas. After a half hour of coaxing your frightened toddler out from under the sofa, you realize that the snow would probably look a little strange to you too if you never experienced before. So, how do you get your little one excited about the snow?

Bring the snow to your toddler – This is also a great way to let a child that is feeling under the weather feel a little less sad about missing out on the fun. Just fill a big mixing bowl with snow, give your child a spoon and step back. Once he or she is used to the snow, you can add a few toys like plastic animals or mini dump trucks for even more fun.
Let your child watch through the window as you make a little snowman, catch snow on your tongue, or pull a toddler sled with a doll or stuffed animal in it around.
Offer to carry a toddler that is feeling just a bit nervous outside and hold him or her while the two of you make a little snowball together.
Make sure noone throws snowballs at or near your toddler and be careful to help him or her navigate around the yard without falling down. (That doesn’t mean you can’t fall back and make a snow angel, though. Your toddler may just decide to follow suit.)

Do you have any tips for helping toddlers get used to snow?

Photo: SXC

Toddler Tip Tuesday – Rock Out With Kids’ Music Online

Katelyn Thomas — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:24:43 +0000

Toddlers love silly songs they can sing and dance with. Singing along is a great way for them to learn new concepts without even realizing it. “Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes” teaches body parts. The ABC song introduces them to the Alphabet. Even “Splish, Splash” teaches them something. They learn that people scrub themselves in the tub.

Photo - SXC

Now, before you run out and spend a fortune on kids’ CDs, did you know that you can head to Pandora.com and search for performers like Raffi or songs like “Teddy Bear Hug” to set up a kids’ radio show for free? If you still need more music or don’t like having to wait for a specific song to show up, go to the library and check out CDs. Our library has a ton of great kids’ CDs. We can keep them out for three weeks, which gives us plenty of time to get bored with them.

Sign for Babies Sunday – More

Katelyn Thomas — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:53:35 +0000

Last week, we taught our babies the sign for drink. But what if your baby wants some more to drink or eat? The sign for more is very simple and is an important sign for older babies to learn, since it allows them to begin combining signs to communicate more complicated thoughts. A lot of babies also use this sign by itself to simply let you know they want more of whatever the are eating, drinking, or playing with.

To sign more, put the fingertips on each hand together and then tap the two sets of fingertips together.

Here’s a video demonstrating the more sign: