Category Archives: Kids

Children and Carseats-The 5-Step Test

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Carseat safety is really a no -brainer…carseats for infants and children are mandatory and they save lives.

For the newborn, infant, toddler and pre-schooler it seems fairly simple to buy a carseat and have it installed or install it yourself. But as your child gets older things start to become somewhat muddy…like when do you transfer your older child to a booster seat and then to the seatbelt system in the car?

If you have a child not leave this post without linking to the carseat blog for actual visuals of the 5-Step Test and how to do it.

What is the 5-Step Test?

It is actually the only way to make sure that your child is protected by a car’s lap/shoulder seatbelt system and therefore may not nee a booster seat or child restraint system. Weight and age are actually meaningless factors for determining if a seatbelt fits a child correctly.

Here are the five questions:

Taking the 5-Step Test is quick and simple. Have the child buckle up in the vehicle and then answer these 5 questions:

1. Does the child sit all the way back on the vehicle seat?

2. Are knees bent comfortably at the edge of the vehicle seat?

3. Does seatbelt cross the shoulder properly? (it should be centered over the collar bone)

4. Is the lap portion of the seatbelt low – touching the thighs?

5. Can the child stay seated this way for the entire ride, every ride (awake and asleep)?

Bonus step – feet planted firmly on floor

via The 5-Step Test.

http://carseatblog.com/3966/the-5-step-test/

http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

Peanut Allergy continued…

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NOTEWORTHY WEDNESDAY!

Peanut allergy is on the rise…it can cause a severe reaction which is life threatening.

Unexpected sources of peanuts:

  • sauces, chili sauce, hot sauce, pesto, gravy, mole sauce, and salad dressing
  • sweets like puddings, cookies, and hot chocolate
  • egg rolls
  • potato pancakes
  • pet foods (reactions may occur after being licked by a pet that has consumed peanut)
  • specialty pizzas
  • Asian and Mexican dishes
  • Some vegetarian food products, especially those advertised as mean substitutes
  • foods that contain extruded, cold pressed peanut oil, which may contain peanut protein
  • glazes and marinades
  • salads and salad dressings
  • barbecue sauce
  • breading for chicken
  • pancakes
  • meat-free burgers
  • pasta
  • honey
  • fish dishes
  • pie crust
  • mortadella (may contain pistachios)

Things to keep in mind:

  • Alternative nut butters may be processed on equipment shared with peanuts…contact manufacturer about these products.
  • Discuss with allergist whether to avoid tree nuts…cross contamination with peanuts is always a risk.
  • Ice cream served in ice cream parlors should be avoided due to cross contamination…always tell the manager that you have a nut allergy.
  • Sometimes foods that contain other nuts also contain peanuts.
  • Peanuts go by other names, such as beer nuts, ground nuts or monkey nuts.
  • Ask your doctor if you should avoid peanut oils.
  • Peanuts can be found in many foods and candies, especially chocolate. Check all labels carefully and contact the manufacturer with your questions.
  • Peanuts can cause severe allergic reactions. If prescribed, carry epinephrine at all times- lean more about anaphylaxis.

Some children actually can outgrow a peanut allergy…check with your doctor.

via: DuPage Medical Group- Asthma and Allergy Center, 1801 South Highland Avenue, Lombard, IL 60148 – 630 545 7833 

links: http://www.foodallergy.org/

Related posts:http://parentingintheloop.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/kids-and-allergies/

Kids and Allergies…

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NOTEWORTY WEDNESDAY!

KIDS AND ALLERGIES

Allergies are serious and especially so in children.

The vast majority of allergic reactions to foods affect the skin in one way or another. The severity of symptoms can change quickly and there is always potential for a severe, possibly life-threatening reaction.

This week I had a crash course in allergies and children. The fact that ingesting a food such as a peanut could be life threatening is truly  a scary situation.

There are ways to minimize the potential risk and prevent accidental exposure to the foods that cause an allergic reaction.

Here are some of the family’s responsibilities when they have a child with a food allergy:

  • Notify the school of the child’s allergies
  • Work with the school team to develop a plan that accommodates the child’s needs throughout the school including in the classroom, in the cafeteria, in after-care programs during school sponsored activities and on the school bus as well as a Food Allergy Action Plan.
  • Provide written medical documentation, instructions, ad medications as directed by a physician using the Food Allergy Action Plan as a guide. Include a photo of the child on written form.
  • Provide properly labeled medications and replace medications after use or upon expiration.
  • Educate the child in the self-management of their food allergy including:
  1. safe and unsafe foods
  2. strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods
  3. symptoms of allergic reaction
  4. how and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy-related problem
  5. how to read food labels (age appropriate)

– Review policies/procedures with the school staff, the child’s physician, and the child (if age appropriate) after a reaction has occurred.

– Provide emergency contact information.

excerpts: from DuPage Medical Group – Asthma & Allergy Center

NEXT:  School’s responsibility

Related Posts: http://parentingintheloop.wordpress.com/2010/12/07/food-allergies-new-guidelines/

Recall of Baby Strollers…

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About 9,525 strollers have been recalled due to risk of injury from brake failure.

Many styles of stroller are included in this recall.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with phil&teds USA Inc, of Fort Collins, Colorado, have recalled about 9,525 Explorer (7,400 in the U.S. and 1,900 in Canada) and Hammerhead (160 in the US and 65 in Canada) strollers. The brake mechanism on the strollers can fail, posing an injury hazard. Eight incidents have been reported globally; none in North America. No injuries were reported.

via Recall | phil&ted Strollers | BabyZone.

Fire pit safety

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Fire pit safety

If you have a fire pit or chiminea, your kids may beg you to toast marshmallows. Be aware that little tots will walk right up to the pretty, sparkling flames – they don’t know better. “Danger! Danger, Will Robinson!” Here are some tips for keeping everyone safe:

Always place your fire pit on a solid, steady surface and in an open area. Avoid placing it near hanging branches. (Don’t place a fire pit in an enclosed area, because fumes from it can be harmful without proper ventilation.)

Clear the area around the fire pit from any combustible materials, including lawn or garden furniture.

Know the weather conditions before you start. Do not use a fire pit under windy conditions as sparks can fly around and the fire can get out of control.

Always keep a fire extinguisher handy, and make sure it is properly charged. A nearby garden hose can be helpful, too, but make sure the line has water in it!

Have an adult start the fire to ensure that it is done safely and properly. Never use any accelerants to light the fire.

Keep the fire small. A raging bonfire can be dangerous.

Use safety gloves when handling a hot fire pit.

Fire pit screens are available in stores and are worth having. These screens keep the sparks from coming out of the pit. But never leave the fire unattended, even if you have a screen.

Kids love toasted marshmallows, but adults should be the ones to toast them. Remember marshmallows get HOT and can burn! Keep a first aid kit handy, just in case someone gets singed.

Always put the coals completely out before you turn in for the night. Don’t leave anything to chance.

Tags: bonfire, chiminea, fire pit safety, outdoor fire, toasting marshmallows

via News Moms Need » Blog Archive » Fire pit safety.

Swimming right after eating???

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Is it safe for children to swim right after eating?

Here is what “Baby Center” says:

No. This one’s an old and familiar rule, but there’s very little truth behind it.

There’s no question that water is a huge hazard for kids, with drowning  the second leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1 to 14. But these drownings simply have no connection with eating beforehand.

After eating, the body does direct blood to the stomach to help with digestion, so it’s conceivable – though unlikely – that swimming with a full stomach will lead to stomach cramps. Contrary to popular belief, a stomach cramp may be painful but it doesn’t make people sink and drown.

The American Red Cross says there’s no specific amount of time your child needs to wait before heading for the water after eating, but the organization does suggest waiting until he’s comfortable before engaging in any strenuous activity. If he’s sluggish or tired after chowing down, let him rest first. And, of course, children should be supervised whenever they’re in or around water.

Even though there’s no basis for the idea that swimming on a full stomach makes people sink like the proverbial stone, the myth is extraordinarily persistent. In BabyCenter’s 2009 Summer Survey, when we queried more than 1,300 moms about it, 58 percent said they think it’s unsafe to let children swim right after eating.

That said, here are five possible reasons not to allow kids to swim right after eating, suggested by BabyCenter parents:

1. The more likely danger of letting your young child swim right after eating is that he might throw up in the pool! Many parents – and pool lifeguards – tell us that this happens often enough, and when it does, the pool has to be closed and cleaned.

2. “It’s not safe to swim for half an hour after eating because Mom needs a break from watching the kids so closely. For at least three generations, my family has used it as an excuse to get away from the water for a bit, or so say my mom and her mom.” – SassySaru

3. “I have always told my kids they can’t go swimming after lunch in summer as it is the best way of getting the kids out of the sun at midday, thus protecting their skin from sunburn!” – Anonymous

4. “I normally let my little one swim right before her meal. Makes her hungrier and helps me feed her better. It’s a win-win for me.” – kanchan

5. “I’ve always felt sick to my stomach if I try to go back in the water right after eating. Really, if I do any major exercise after a full meal, I feel sick. I think the stomach isn’t getting the blood supply it wants to efficiently promote digestion, and you feel sick. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it with my kids.” – megs

via Is it true that it’s not safe for children to swim right after eating? | BabyCenter.

Get your vaccinations before summer travel…

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Get your vaccinations before summer travel

After a very rough winter and a rainy spring, summer is finally here! In a few weeks, my husband, my baby girl and I (with Lola in tow) will be traveling and heading to the beach for a couple of weeks. My baby girl just had her well baby visit this week, so she’s up to date on all of her vaccines and is ready to travel.

Summer is a great time to make sure your family’s vaccinations are up to date, especially this year. There’s been a recent outbreak of measles (an infection caused by a virus) in this country – the largest measles outbreak in 15 years. Most people who recently caught the measles weren’t vaccinated. They caught the measles in Europe (which is the middle of a major epidemic) and brought the disease back to the U.S.

Measles is easily spread and causes rash, cough and fever. In some cases, it can lead to diarrhea, ear infection, pneumonia, brain damage or even death. Measles can cause serious health problems in young children. It can also be especially harmful to pregnant women and can cause miscarriage.

Talk to your provider to find out if your and your family’s vaccines are up to date, especially when it comes to the measles. If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, wait 1 month before trying to get pregnant after getting the measles vaccine (MMR, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella). If you’re already pregnant, you’ll need to wait until after giving birth to get the vaccine.

If you’re  traveling out of the country with your baby and she’s 6-11 months old, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that she get her first shot of the MMR vaccine before traveling. If your baby is 12-15 months, then she should get two shots (separated by 28 days) before traveling.

Tags: baby health, measles, MMR, outbreak, pregnancy health, summer safety, vaccinations

via News Moms Need » Blog Archive » Get your vaccinations before summer travel.

Are we the new “Donkey”?

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NOTEWORTHY WEDNESDAY!

“Bugaboo: Why the New Donkey Makes an Ass Out of You and Me – StumbleUpon.

When it comes to decadence and rampant commercialism, I’ll be the first to admit there are a lot of things I don’t get.

I’m not a ‘bling’ sort of person.  Naturally clumsy, I’ve never been one for heels. So the whole Sex in the City shoe fetish was lost on me.

I would sooner spend what little disposable income I have on a family trip or a spa treatment.  When it comes to pampering, that’s something I not only understand but wholeheartedly endorse.  A timely massage or pedi can do wonders for a mother’s ravaged body and soul.

Needless to say, I’m mystified and more than a little ‘bugged’ by the latest Bugaboo craze.  There are cars that go for cheaper than the new stroller, which is the ultimate status symbol of the urban mama and papa. “

I have to say that I partially agree with this mom’s assessment of the new “Donkey” bugaboo. I also have to say that we own two bugaboo vehicles. They are well made and meant to take a beating and keep on going.

The other baby vehicle that we own is a McLaren stroller which is more convenient as it folds easier than the bugaboo and I don’t have a heart attack when I have to leave it in the front of a restaurant or put it in the belly of an airplane.

So if you are in the market for strolling…check into the strollers that will provide the comfort and peace of mind for you and your baby and your check-book!

Related post:

http://parentingintheloop.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/baby-strollers-best-picks/

Recall of table-top chairs…

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“Recall of table-top chairs

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to stop using clip-on table-top chairs manufactured by phil&teds USA Inc. due to risk of serious injury due to multiple safety hazards.  This caught my attention because we use one of these chairs for our grandchildren.

The “metoo” infant/toddler chair has a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame that clamps onto tables using two metal vise clamps.  The upper part of each clamp rests on the table top and has either a rubber clamp pad on its underside or a rubber boot covering.  Chairs affected by this warning do not have plastic spacers between the table clamps and the front horizontal metal bar.  Chairs with plastic spacers between the table clamps and the front horizontal metal bar are under evaluation.  The “metoo” chairs have been sold since May 2006 through phil&teds.com, Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Target, ToysRUs and other retailers.

According to CPSC, the affected “metoo” chairs pose serious fall and amputation hazards to children.  Children can suffer impact and head injuries when the chair  detaches from the table and falls with them in it, and CPSC staff are aware of numerous incidents involving the chairs.  Phil&teds has refused to agree to a national recall of their product that is acceptable to CPSC, and has offered a repair kit consisting of rubber boots to place on the upper clamp grips of the chairs.  CPSC has not approved a repair kit for this product.  For more information about the recall, click on this link.

Tags: child safety, clip-on chairs, high chairs, infant safety, metoo infant/toddler chair, table-top chairs

This entry was posted on Friday, May 20th, 2011 at 8:17 am and is filed under Baby, Hot Topics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

via News Moms Need » Blog Archive » Recall of table-top chairs.”