Here’s your opportunity to kick off the holiday season by doing something nice. Even the most time-strapped parents of toddlers can take the time to send a Christmas card to a little boy for what may be his last Christmas.

Five-year-old Noah Biorkman has been battling neuroblastoma cancer for two-and-a-half years. He was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma in February 2007. It went into remission in August of that year, but returned in September 2008 with legions on Noah’s right arm and leg. After six different clinical trials, the cancer continues to spread.

His family, including his mother Diana Harrison Biorkman, will celebrate Christmas with him early this year – what is likely to be Noah’s last one. Noah loves Christmas cards, so his mom is asking everyone to send him a card. His address is:

Noah Biorkman
1411 Fountain View Circle
South Lyon, Michigan 48178

Snopes Verified

According to Snopes.com, DJ Ed Carter WKSR in Pulaski, Tennessee, who is an acquaintance of Mrs. Biorkman, has verified the story on the air. You can also read updates on Noah at his section on CarePages. Be warned that his mother’s blog is a definite tearjerker. I’m actually sitting here with tears in my eyes, holding my one-year-old daughter, as I read.

On Thursday, Noah received 416 cards and they continue coming in. The celebration is planned for this weekend. But it’s not too late to send a card with well wishes for this beautiful and brave little boy.

Private thoughts, prayers and well wishes for a “Christmas miracle” won’t hurt either, I’m sure. While Noah sleeps a lot, the medication that keeps the pain at bay does permit him to walk and play, as well. He is filled with wonder at the well wishes he’s receiving and is making the most of his time with his family in the ways only a child can.

About Neuroplastoma

Mrs. Biorkman describes her son’s cancer on the blog: “Neuroblastoma cancer really sucks and is a beast.” Noah’s doctors continue working hard to find a cure for children who relapse, and Mrs. Biorkman hopes the clinical trial’s Noah has taken will help them in their efforts.

Neuroblastoma is a cancerous tumor beginning in the nerve tissues – often in the adrenal glands in the abdomen — of infants and toddlers. About 650 cases of neuroblastoma are detected in the U.S. each year and most are diagnosed in children under 5 years old.

As with most cancers, the prognosis for children with neuroblastoma varies depending on how early it is detected, and how quickly the cancer progresses.

Read more about Neuroblastoma at https://www.nbhope.org

Booster Seats Are Safer

The journal “Pediatrics” published the results of a study, conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia’s Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, confirming previous reports that it’s safer to keep children aged 4 through 8 in a booster seat during car travel.

The new study gives us solid figures: Children in belt-positioning booster seats are 45% less likely to sustain injuries in a crash than children using standard safety belts.

Booster seats protected children even better during side-impact crashes, reducing the risk of injury 68% for near-side impacts and 82 % for far-side impacts. The most common type of injury children sustain in vehicle crashes is a head injury, accounting for 65 % of all injuries regardless of the type of restraint used. The data did not show a difference in the level of protection using a high-back booster or a backless booster seat.

The good news?

The study considered injuries sustained in 21,943 crashes in which at least one child received medical attention, as well as crashes where no children were injured, and the vast majority of injuries were not fatal, whether children wore a regular seat belt or used a booster seat.

Car Seats for the Car Only

It bears repeating that parents should follow the American Academy of Pediatrics car seat guidelines to keep their children safe during road trips. But it’s equally important to note the danger that exists when parents keep infants in car seats for extended periods when they are not traveling.

In a related article, CBS News reported the results of a study presented to the AAP that shows 8,700 emergency room visits resulting from inappropriate use of a car seat/carrier.

Most of the injuries occurred when parents placed car seat/carriers on soft surfaces, like beds and sofas, or high surfaces like counters and tabletops. This causes a risk of suffocation in infants, but babies can also suffer injuries to the head or extremities if the car seat tips or falls.

If you do place your baby in a carrier:

• Place the carrier on flat ground only.

• Be aware in public places; do not place the carrier and baby in high-foot-traffic areas.

• Avoid keeping baby in the carrier for long periods of time every day; this can lead to weak muscles and flat spots on the head.

The Bottom Line on Car Seat Safety

Car seats are intended for use in motor vehicles to protect infants, toddlers and children from injury in a crash. Use a car seat or booster seat, for as long as possible with your child, for its intended purpose. But don’t leave your infant in a carrier/car seat for extended lengths of time when you’re not traveling.

More Information

Groundbreaking medical research completed by a team at the Institute of Cancer Research, a college of the University of London, working in conjunction with researchers in Japan, discovered that certain cancer cells can cross the placenta of an afflicted mother-to-be into her unborn baby.

Such a link had been suspected previously, with about 17 cases of leukemia and melanoma supposedly passed on from mother to fetus, but genetic “fingerprinting” has established a definite link.

In the most recent case, a Japanese mother died from complications of leukemia one month after giving birth. Eleven months later, her supposedly healthy baby daughter was diagnosed with lymphoma, which is now in remission.

The researchers discovered that cancer cells of both mother and baby carried the identical mutated cancer gene, but the infant had not inherited the gene – instead, it passed through the placenta during the mother’s pregnancy.

Cause for concern?

The fetus’ immune system did not recognize the cancer cells as foreign bodies and so did not destroy them. However, in an article posted on the Guardian website, a UK-based newspaper, Professor Mel Greaves stresses, “The chances of any pregnant woman with cancer passing it on to her child are remote.” Greaves led the research study that uncovered this important link.

Rather than giving pregnant women yet another thing to worry about (the Japanese mother who prompted the study did not know she had leukemia until after she gave birth), the study provides hope for future cancer research and insight into possible cures.

In the same article, Dr David Grant, scientific director at Leukaemia Research, said: “The important message from this … is that leukemia cells can be destroyed by the immune system. Harnessing the power of the immune system to cure and protect patients from leukemia is one of our priority areas of research.”

This story truly is one about finding a glimmer of good out of sad news.

More Facts About Cancer and Pregnancy

According to research, about 1 in every 1,000 pregnant women is diagnosed with cancer, but pregnancy does not cause any form of cancer. Sometimes standard pre-natal testing, such as ultrasounds or PAP smears, may uncover cancers that had gone previously undetected.

On the other hand, symptoms of certain cancers may be similar to symptoms of pregnancy, which can actually delay detection of the cancer.

Breast cancer, occurring in one in every 3,000 pregnant women, is the most common form of cancer during pregnancy.

Treatment of cancer during pregnancy may include:

• Surgery

• Chemotherapy

• Radiation therapy

The latter two treatments are prescribed conservatively, only after careful consideration to their effects on the fetus. Chemotherapy is often safe in the second and third trimesters, with drugs that do not pass through the placenta.

It Can Be Done

Cancer during pregnancy certainly creates additional challenges for the mother-to-be, but with proper supervision, a complication-free pregnancy with a healthy baby can result. Do the results of this study prove differently?

Certainly, mothers with cancer may wish to consider this additional information but in general, I don’t think a cancer survivor determined to reproduce should let this stop her. What do you think?

Here Are Some Helpful links:

WebMD

Cancer.net

Guardian.co.uk

“I knew you’d gone a little crazy when you started complaining that ‘only’ 35 people are coming,” my friend said.

“Down from a guest list of 80, that’s a lot of cancellations!”

“And there’s your first problem.” He accentuated every syllable for effect. “You invited 80 people. To a first birthday party.”

Yes, I know my daughter, who turns one October 12, won’t remember any of it. Yes, I know it’s mostly for the parents. Yes, I know it’s probably a tremendous waste of money. But my daughter only turns one once, and I wanted to throw her (myself?) a party.

It didn’t start out of control. I had very practical reasons for having it in a local steakhouse rather than our backyard or basement. We were in contract on a new home and had no idea where we’d be living at the time. Our old apartment couldn’t accommodate more than 10 people comfortably, and we had more guests than that if we just invited immediate family.

Faced with a room that holds up to 120, and a reasonable price per plate, I went a little crazy with the guest list.

Then I became fixated on a theme. It had to be something she likes, of course. Cool but not trendy. We’re not trendy type people. So no Dora or Disney Princesses.

Lilo & Stitch! Recent enough to be recognizable but old enough to be offbeat. We needed a custom-designed cake with Lilo & Stitch cake toppers. And I’d play DVDs in the background on my laptop during the party. I bought myself a dress that could pass for a Hawaiian print – big flowers all over. Adorable picture frame favors in the shape of surfboards, flip-flops and Hawaiian shirts. And balloons!

I didn’t go this crazy before my wedding.

The worst part of it all is I always made fun of kids’ birthday parties taken to an extreme. What’s the point of clowns, characters and face painting if the kid won’t remember it? Then you realize it really is for the parents and the photo ops, and it doesn’t seem so bad. After all, we’re grown-ups and if we choose to have a big party to celebrate our child’s birth, it’s our choice. I’m saying we, but honestly, the whole big party was my idea and my responsibility. My husband would have been happy with a cake.

I take a deep breath and reflect on what all this really means. We survived the first year of parenthood… and so did our soon-to-be-toddler. We are a happy little family of three.

Unbidden, Stitch’s crazy little alien voice pops into my mind with a line from the movie: “Ohana means family.” That’s what this party is really about.

I’ll throw a few Winnie-the-Pooh balloons into the mix and Ashley will be just as happy. We’ll be surrounded by friends, family and chocolate cake. What could be better?

Time to ‘fess up. Did anyone else go a little crazy in preparation for their baby’s first birthday? Did that tradition continue or did it taper off? Do you celebrate with a big bash every year or just milestones?

In the United States, many doctors refuse to deliver a baby weighing more than 9 and a half pounds through a vaginal birth. Some midwives report delivering perfectly healthy 10-pound babies, naturally – it can be done.

But there was little question or debate that Ani, of Jakarta, Indonesia, would need a cesarean section to deliver her 19.2-pound, 24.4 inch, baby boy. The child, as yet unnamed, is the largest baby to be born in the country and the third heaviest in the world.

The largest baby ever born was delivered in Canada in 1879 and weighed 23 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 30 inches, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. He died 11 hours after birth, however. The largest baby to survive infancy was born in Italy in 1955, weighing 22 pounds, 8 ounces.

Gestational Diabetes to Blame

Reports say the baby grew so large because of the mother’s gestational diabetes. Ani was rushed to the hospital in the ninth month due to complications of the pregnancy. Gestational diabetes, if left unchecked, may result in macrosomia (excessively high birthweight, above the 90^th percentile), neonatal hypoglycemia, jaundice and, in rare instances, stillbirth.

A Difficult Delivery

A gynecologist involved in Ani’s son’s delivery said the c-section birth was a difficult process. Removing the baby without damaging the mother’s uterus was a challenge since his legs were so large. In spite of this, Ani’s baby was born healthy — and extremely hungry. He had minor breathing problems at first and received oxygen, but recovered quickly. Doctors reported that he wanted to eat constantly, and his cries were much louder than the smaller babies beside him in the nursery.

Some Perspective on his Size

My daughter was born (at 41 weeks and 3 days gestation!) weighing only 6 lbs. 4 oz. Today, she tips the scales (and those birth charts some doctors like to bandy about) at a whopping 17 lbs., putting her in the 5^th percentile for weight… and smaller than Ani’s newborn son! The newborn, measuring 24.4 inches long, is practically toddler-sized.

His measurements put him in size 12-month clothes already, so he skipped four clothing sizes (five if you count the hard-to-find “newborn” size). If he continues growing at the rate of most infants, he’ll be wearing 3T before he’s a year old. In all likelihood, however, his growth will level out and, while he may remain large, will drop into the 95^th percentile or less for his age within a few months.

In the meantime, Ani and her family, which includes three other children all born naturally in midwife-assisted births, simply has more of him to love.

While nearly everyone knows the dates of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, even the most with-it moms may not know this Sunday, September 13, is Grandparent’s Day. That doesn’t mean you have to break the bank on a pricey gift, but it is nice to remember the people who love to spoil your child.

Handmade gifts, or even a phone call or visit, might be the perfect offering. If your child’s grandparents live close, let your child spend the day, or even just a few hours, with them. What else can you do to make the day special for the grandparents in your baby’s life?

Handmade Crafts
While a greeting card is always a thoughtful gesture, if your child is old enough, a handmade card will mean even more. Even a preschooler or advanced toddler can make a card with construction paper and washable magic markers.

If you’re feeling ambitious, you may want to help your little one make this adorable “Cup of Love” mug. Let your child decide what to write on the cup, but you can help him along by suggesting phrases such as “#1 Grandma,” “I love you” and “You’re the best!”

Baked Goods
If your little one loves to help out in the kitchen, why not bake a special treat for Grandma and Grandpa’s special day? Keep in mind any special dietary needs older people may have, such as diabetes or high cholesterol. This recipe for oatmeal cookies, from Prevention’s Sugar Solution Cookbook, is true to its name: “Yummy, healthy oatmeal cookies.”

Unsweetened applesauce replaces butter and also reduces the amount of sugar required. The whole grain flour is absorbed more slowly than refined white flour, making this a safe snack (in moderation) for diabetics as well as anyone watching their weight. Kids can easily help by measuring and blending all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Be sure to keep preschoolers away from the hot oven, though.

Pictures, pictures, pictures
What grandparent doesn’t adore photos of their grandbabies? Ideally, we’d all have time to sit and scrapbook a whole album for every year of our child’s life, and then present it as a gift each Grandparent’s Day. In reality, we’re fortunate just to make time to upload digital images and order prints.

You can select one, two or three of your favorite pictures of your child and his grandparent and scrapbook just one page. Mount the page in a nice-looking frame and you have an inexpensive gift grandparents will love. Let your child select the photos and adornments.

Another creative and inexpensive gift is having pictures put on things like playing cards, a coffee mug, jewelry box or a calendar. Clark Color Labs has great deals on photography gifts as well as giving away free prints and free online storage of your photos!

A Day with the Grandparents
We all know that time with your kids is the best gift you can give to grandparents. Suggest some activities, or let the grandparents decide what they want to do with your kids for the day.

In honor of Grandparent’s Day, here are some more Babies Online articles about grandparents.

Happy Grandparent’s Day!

• Grandparenting from a Distance

• Fun Things You Can Do With your Grandchildren

• Why Granparents Are So Important to a Child

I’m sure I’m not the first parent to battle an insistent, strong-willed, soon-to-be toddler over diaper and outfit changes. My husband walked into the bedroom the other night asking, “Why is she crying like that?”

I held up a finger covered in Boudreax’s Butt Paste, using my other hand to grab two flailing legs, and with my third hand… wait, there’s the problem. My daughter proceeded to spread diaper cream on her ankles, knees, and toes (everywhere except her butt basically), as I said, “I’m changing her.” My tone suggested this was explanation enough.

“So?” my husband asked, raising an eyebrow. “Does she do that every time you change her?”

I stopped, looking up from the tangle of arms and legs. “You mean she DOESN”T act this way for you?”

“No,” my husband answered. “Don’t you give her a shoe?”

“What?”

My husband grabbed a size 2 Old Navy Tennis shoe off the floor and said, “You just have to give her a shoe.” Our daughter took the shoe, smiled, placed it in her mouth, and I continued with the diapering. Easy as tying a shoelace.

But when the shoe trick gets, well, as boring as an old shoe, what else can the parent of a toddler do to make changing time go easier?

Keep all supplies well stocked. This is good advice regardless of your baby’s age — you don’t want to have to go running around the house looking for a diaper with baby on the changing table. But with a toddler, you only have one chance to change each diaper before you have a naked baby streaking through the house, so you better get it right!

Keep messy objects out of reach. As soon as your little bundle figures out how to open the cap on the diaper cream, get it out of there.  (Fortunately, I didn’t have to learn this one from experience!) Remove from reach anything you don’t want your toddler grabbing for; this frees up your hands for the important tasks — holding baby down, wiping, fastening diaper tabs.

Keep toys within reach. Whether it’s a shoe, a lovey or a favorite teething ring, giving your child a toy may keep them occupied during changing. In fact, the mobile that you can’t use in the crib anymore because your on-the-go baby uses it to pull up on works great above the changing table, where baby can watch her favorite, familiar characters go round-and-round. Just make sure it’s out of reach or it becomes just another thing baby can grab and use as a weapon, er, object to pull up on.

That strap on the changing table? It actually has a purpose. I have a confession. The first time I placed the changing table pad on the changing table, I thought the straps were designed to go under the pad, securing it to the table. Now I know better!

Although experts recommend always strapping your baby down, it doesn’t become mandatory, from a practical standpoint, until your child begins rolling. Using the restraint signals to a squirming toddler that it’s time to be still, just like in the car seat. My husband (who is, apparently, the diaper-changing pro) strapped down our daughter for changing time the other day, and it actually made the process much easier.

When all else fails…  Use the Amazing Standing Diaper Change. I read this post by Brit several months ago and never forgot it. While my husband’s the diaper changing pro, I almost have this move mastered. Let baby stand up, occupied and playing with whatever toy they like, while you quickly remove old diaper (yes, even if it’s dirty), wipe baby, and put on new diaper. Experienced mom Brit makes it sound so easy but, really, it truly is easier than getting an uncooperative toddler to lie down for a diaper change.

Now there’s one more reason to hold your newborn baby in your arms as much as possible and save the car seat for the car.

A new study, published in Pediatrics magazine, showed that healthy two-day-old infants placed in car seats for an hour had lower average blood oxygen levels than those lying on their backs in cribs. The upright position of a car seat compresses a baby’s chest cavity, creating airway obstructions that can lower an infant’s blood oxygen saturation level.

You Still Need a Car Seat

While car seats are crucial for protection and safety within moving motor vehicles, infants should not be left in carrier/car seats for extended periods of time when not traveling, according to the findings of the study.

An article published on WebMD.com quotes the study, completed by Lilijana Kornhauser Cerar, MD, of University Medical Centre in Ljubjana, Slovenia, and her colleagues: “The use of [car seats and car beds] should, therefore, be restricted to protection from injury and death in traffic accidents, and they should never serve as a replacement for a crib.”

Previous studies had looked at the blood oxygen levels of pre-term babies in car seats and car beds, but this study shows that even in healthy infants, leaving a baby in a car seat for extended periods of time can cause respiratory issues.

The researchers, based in Slovenia and Boston, studied 200 infants, testing their oxygen saturation level after 30 minutes in a crib and after 60 minutes in a car bed or car seat. After lying in the crib, the average saturation level was 97.9 %. It was 96.3 % in the car bed and 95.7 % in the car seat.

While this drop in blood oxygen levels may not sound consequential, the researchers noted that even mild airway obstruction in infants has been linked to behavioral problems and lower IQ. Additionally, babies in the car seats and beds spent more time with oxygen levels below 95 % than did babies in the hospital cribs.

Perhaps most significantly, many parents let their babies sleep in their car seat if they have a cold. The upright position, ironically, seems to make it easier for a congested newborn to breathe. This is, perhaps, the scariest aspect of the study: parents who think they’re doing the right thing in infants with temporary respiratory problems may be causing the very problems they hope to prevent.

In an article published on Healthfinder.gov, Dr. Iley Browning, an associate professor of pediatrics at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, says, “…dropping oxygen levels are going to get worse when children have colds so you’re making your child worse by putting them in a car seat when they’re sick.”

Cause for Worry?

Do the findings of this new research really present a cause for concern, or is this new study just another “alarmist” theory that gives brand new parents something else to worry about?

I confess to leaving my daughter, as an infant, in her “bucket” in restaurants or stores if she fell asleep in the car seat while I was driving. I also let her sleep in there for up to an hour if she fell asleep in the car and I didn’t want to wake her upon returning home. I am also guilty of letting her sleep in her car seat or infant swing when she had a cold.

Would I do the same thing in light of this new research? Probably not. But I also recently discarded a batch of sippy cups and bottles once new, BPA-free alternatives became available. I don’t make myself crazy with worry, but I follow my intuition.

Other Good Reasons to Hold Your Baby…

While the risk of dangerously-low blood oxygen levels from spending too much time in a car seat is relatively low, (several physicians in several online sources note there is really no risk, at all) there are plenty of other good reasons to keep your newborn out of the “bucket” as often as possible.

Holding your baby (in a sling or in your arms):

• Builds a strong bond between parent and baby (yes, Daddy should hold baby as much as he can, too!)

• Helps regulate a newborn’s heartbeat and body temperature

• Makes an infant feel secure

Additionally, babies held frequently spend more time in a state of “quiet alertness,” which is the time during which they learn the most. Besides, holding a baby can be calming and relaxing for the mother, too.

As the mother of a 10-month-old prepping for a first birthday party, I can tell you that our little ones grow up way too quickly. Treasure every moment and hold them now, while they still let you! It’s important to reiterate that a car seat should always be used in a moving vehicle.

An article in Wednesday’s U.K. Daily Telegraph reported on a 34-year-old Tunisian woman claiming to be pregnant with 12 babies – six boys and six girls. The woman, it said, conceived 12 babies after fertility treatments following multiple miscarriages.

A few days later, the Telegraph reported that an investigation by the Tunisian Health Ministry revealed that not only is the woman not pregnant with duodecaplets – she’s probably not even pregnant at all.

The article quoted a government spokesperson saying: “She’s claiming to be nine months pregnant with six boys and six girls, but there’s absolutely nothing about her appearance which indicates this.”

A doctor at the only hospital in her town said the woman had never been in their care. The woman refused a physical examination and has now disappeared.

The hoax comes on the heels of Nadya Suleman earning hundreds of thousands of dollars in media deals following her birth of octuplets. The Bellflower, California mom of 14 holds the record for the most live births at any one time.

Why Would She Do It?

While the Tunisian woman’s hoax was most likely financially motivated, there is a rare psychological disorder in which women believe they are pregnant. Women suffering from the disorder, pseudocyesis (false pregnancy), often show symptoms of pregnancy, such as amennorrhoea, morning sickness, tender breasts and a distended abdomen. Some women may feel quickening, or fetal movement. (This article gives a more broad description of the signs of pregnancy).

“Can’t Fool Science”

The incidence of false pregnancy has decreased dramatically in the U.S. since the 1940s, when there was 1 false pregnancy for every 250 actual pregnancies. Now, the incidence is approximately one to six cases of pseudocyesis for every 22,000 births.

More advanced diagnostic techniques for pregnancy make it harder for a woman’s body to “fool itself” into believing she is pregnant. Most cases of pseudocyesis are cured by using an ultrasound to prove to the woman she is not pregnant. In the face of such irrefutable medical proof, most women will become convinced and the symptoms will subside.

However, the underlying cause of the disorder still exists and the woman should be treated by psychotherapy. Doctors aren’t sure what causes the disorder, but an intense desire for a baby or, alternatively, a profound fear of pregnancy, may create the symptoms.

Pseudocyesis, while rare, makes for good drama and has been featured on a number of T.V. shows, including CSI: Crime Scene. Approximately 18 % of women suffering pseudocyesis are actually diagnosed by a doctor as pregnant.

In the absence of any symptoms in the Tunisian woman, known as AF, it would seem her “pregnancy” was a poorly-contrived hoax rather than an actual psychological disorder. Very sad.

The Graco MyRide 65 car seat arrived on my doorstep by way of my neighbor’s house. When my 10-year-old neighbor walked up to the door carrying the bulky box, I couldn’t believe he’d lifted it. But I was surprised to find that, in spite of its size, it was fairly light. The same went for the car seat within.

We looked it over together: the plush seat, the dual cup holders, removable headrest – and I declared it “a Cadillac of car seats.” It looked extremely comfortable and the industry-standard five-point harness with strap covers looked exceptionally secure but easy to use.

“I’d ride in that!” my neighbor exclaimed.

Let’s get down to the nuts and bolts – or latches and belts, as the case may be.

Ease of installation

After viewing the video at Graco’s Web site, my husband and I – okay, I’ll be honest, my husband did the work – installed the seat in less than 10 minutes. Following the directions, we first adjusted the straps outside of the car, installed the seat in the center back seat of our 2003 Toyota Camry using the LATCH system. The car seat comes with two different straps: one for rear-facing installation and one for forward-facing. They are color-coded to match their respective belt paths, leaving a conscientious parent little room for error. Storage areas on the shell were easy to find, and permit storage of the straps, clips, and the top tether when they are not in use. Noting the tether strap, my husband commented, “This is going to be incredibly secure in the front-facing position.”

In the rear-facing position, we noticed a bit of wiggling beyond the acceptable “one inch in either direction,” so my husband tightened the LATCH straps a bit further. The leveling ball dropped securely into the green (previously, it was hanging out on the inner edge of the green zone) and the car seat barely budged.

The car seat can also be installed using your car’s safety belt. Graco warns that the LATCH system should only be used for a child weighing up to 48 lbs.; after that, seat belts should be used to install the car seat, which is the case with most convertible car seat models.

The straps are easy to adjust; the task can be accomplished without uninstalling the seat if it is in a rear-facing position.

Comfort & convenience

The harness straps were equally easy to tighten. Because the My Ride 65 fits such a wide range of sizes, it includes five different harness slots at different heights. Using the bottom four slots when the seat is rear-facing and the top four when it’s facing the front provides a lot of flexibility.

Since my daughter, at 10 months old, weighs about 16 lbs. and is 27 inches tall, we kept the infant support system in, with the straps in the lowest position.

By the description in the instruction manual, everything fit. The harness straps were tight enough that we couldn’t easily pinch them. But on our first trip we noticed she looked uncomfortable. When we got home, we removed the infant support and moved the straps up a notch; everything fit a lot better in this configuration. She nestled in for her first ride, comfortable and happy, and promptly began studying the buckle (a habit she developed in her infant car seat). My point? It may take some trial and error to get the perfect fit. Fortunately, adjusting the harness is very easy and only takes a few seconds.

The plush head support pillow is a nice feature, and I like the dual cup holders.We don’t have backseat cup holders, so I foresee myself using the ones in the car seat (for cold beverages only) during long trips.

The car seat’s footprint is small-to-average. There seems to be more room in the backseat with the My Ride 65 installed than there was with the Graco SnugRide infant car seat, despite the higher back and wide side impact wings and cup holders.

Safety

Now let’s consider the most important factor when you’re selecting a car seat: Safety.

Of course, the car seat meets or exceeds ASTM standards and it is FAA-approved for use onboard airplanes, as well. (Although the cup holders might make it a tight fit on some airline seats). The EVA foam and deep side wings protect a child against side impacts, while keeping the car seat a fairly light 14.5 lbs.

The key safety feature of the seat is the fact that it accommodates a child up to 40 lbs. in a rear-facing position. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping a child in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible. Most American model car seats top out at 35 lbs. for a rear-facing child. The My Ride 65, per its name, is the first American car seat to accommodate a child up to 40 lbs. in a rear-facing position and up to 65 lbs. or 49 inches in a forward-facing position. (I’m repeating myself because it’s such a cool thing!)

The car seat also gives the option of facing a child over one year old and weighing more than 20 lbs. in a forward position.

Impressions

Graco’s My Ride 65 has certainly set new standards for safety in the U.S. market. At $149, it represents the great value Graco brings to all its baby products.

Several fashionable designs are available; Graco sent me the Streamers pattern, brown and khaki green with beige dots. If I’d had a choice, I would have selected “Edgement Dots” in black and gray to match our car’s interior, but honestly, that’s the only negative we’ve encountered so far.

Graco’s products are time-tested, reputable, and reasonably priced. Our daughter’s first car seat/travel system was a Graco Quattro Tour travel system with the Snugride base and it’s serving us well, as is our Pack n’ Play.

The My Ride 65 is made in the U.S.A., with the infant insert made in Mexico. It’s nice to know we can support American industry and still get a quality product at a reasonable price; that fact alone would make me recommend the My Ride 65 over other brands to anyone in the market for a car seat.

Babies learn to speak by listening and mimicking what we say. Experts say that by about 10 months old (or sooner) babies will begin to recognize common words. By this time, they’ve been “babbling” multiple syllables for several months, and may start putting a few words (”mama,” “dada”) into context.

Communicating with your baby from birth helps positively reinforce their identities as little individuals, separate from you. For instance, responding to a baby’s cries lets her know her needs will be met, that someone is paying attention. Likewise, when you respond to a baby’s coos and gurgles with interested expressions or by repeating what she is saying, you are telling the baby her words matter – you are interested in what she has to say.

I provide a running commentary whenever I’m out with my daughter – and I have done this since she was born. In the grocery store, I recite my list to her, point out products that catch her attention and tell her their names, or just talk about things we will do in the future. At home, I fold laundry in front of her watchful gaze, pointing out the colors and the objects. Then there are songs and games: The Itsy-Bitsy Spider, and Old MacDonald, for instance. It turns out, just by trusting my instincts, I figured out many of the right things to say to a baby.

Follow these tips to engage your infant in conversation:

Be animated. Make your eyes wide and use animated facial expressions to catch a baby’s attention – the more exaggerated the better to engage a very young baby.

Use simple phrases. When you talk to your baby, use short words and simple phrases. Refer to yourself as “Mommy” (or “Daddy” as the case may be) and use your baby’s name frequently, too. As babies get older, they listen for their name to recognize the beginning or end of a sentence.

Remember to speak slowly and clearly. If you’ve ever studied a foreign language, you know how hard it is to understand native speakers if you are just beginning to learn the tongue. To a baby, every language is new. Speak slowly and clearly so baby can discover patterns in your words.

Repeat baby’s first words. Or first attempts at forming words. Baby’s learn language best when you speak clearly to them, but you can also repeat their “babble.” If your baby says, “Ga, ga,” repeat “ga, ga,” back to him. After repeating his syllables a few times, switch it up. If he’s been saying, “da, da, da,” say, “da, da” (only two times) back. Your baby will soon catch on and start mimicking you.

Teach conversational patterns. When your baby babbles to you, treat it as if you would a regular conversation. Say, “Is that so?” Let your baby respond. Provide positive reinforcement by saying, “What an exciting story you’re telling me!”

Similarly, when you are talking to your baby, make sure to leave time for a response. In this way, babies learn the give and take and different intonations of a conversation.

Use words and gestures to connect concepts. From birth onward, you can show baby an object and tell them the word for that object. Games like my laundry game, where I point out different pieces of clothing and their colors as I put them away, can be played anywhere.

Show your baby toys or stuffed animals and say their names. You can take, for instance, a stuffed dog, and say, “This is a dog. Dogs go ‘woof, woof.’” Then rub the animal against your baby’s cheek and say, “The dog’s fur is soft.”

Bath time is a great time to point out body parts as you wash them. As your infant gets older, (around 8 months) you can ask her to point to her nose, foot or elbow, for instance. Don’t worry if she doesn’t get it right away.

Your words make an impact. Most importantly, remember that even before your baby truly grasps the full meaning of your words, those words make an impact.

Don’t criticize an infant or toddler, and avoid threatening a baby with negative consequences. It may be tempting to explain to a finicky eight-month-old that: “If you don’t eat your spinach, you won’t grow up big and strong,” but negative phrases have been shown by child-rearing experts to hurt, rather than help, development.

Avoid, at all costs, telling a baby they “can’t” do something. Whenever you talk to your newborn, infant or toddler, provide positive reinforcement delivered in upbeat tones. Not only will it help teach your baby how to speak, it will pave the way to a lifetime of confidence for your little one.

Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood was locked down on Monday after an attempted newborn abduction from a mother’s room. Technology did its job, however, the infant abduction warning alarm went off and the baby was recovered.

The would-be abductor, reportedly a woman dressed in hospital garb, got away. The AP report requests that anyone with information should contact the Fort Hood CID (Criminal Investigation Department) Office at 254-287-2722 the Fort Hood Military Police at 254-287-4001 or email Hood.CID.SAC.RA@conus.army.mil.

The Good News
This story had a happy ending, with the baby returned to their mother. There are measures every new parent can take that will make your baby less of a target for abduction. The best thing a mother can do is trust her instincts. If a hospital visitor or even supposed staff member seems “not quite right,” do not leave your baby alone with that person.

IN THE HOSPITAL

Check the Child ID Bracelet. Minutes after your baby is born, hospital staff should outfit you, Daddy and baby with matching ID bracelets. Check the numbers right away to make sure they match and make sure the bracelets are affixed firmly around baby’s wrist and ankle.

Send Daddy in with the initial check-up. Very shortly after your baby is born, the doctors will whisk him away to be cleaned, weighed, measured and evaluated. You may be a little bit out of it at this time, but Daddy should follow the doctor with the baby into the other room. If the check-up is done right in the delivery room, that’s even better.

Room-in. Having your baby room in with you provides the best protection against hospital abductions – it also makes it a lot easier to stick to that “every 2 hour” feeding schedule of a nursing mother. Obviously, never leave your baby alone (or with someone you don’t know) in the room, not even so you can go to the bathroom.

Check ID badges of hospital personnel. Before anyone takes your baby back to the nursery for any reason, check their ID badge. Remember, though, ID badges and hospital garb is very easy to forge. Rely on your instincts. If something doesn’t “feel right” about a staff member, insist (politely) on accompanying them wherever they’re going. Most staff shouldn’t have a problem with this. If they do, consider that a red flag. Buzz the nurse’s station.

Never let baby out of sight.
You know your baby will be safe if you go everywhere they go. Again, you don’t have to sound accusatory or paranoid. Merely offer casually: “Oh, great, you’re bringing her to the nursery to see the doctor? I’ll come with you.”

Visiting hours. Visiting hour is a great time to get a few minutes away from your baby to shower, eat or just relax. Only leave the baby with very close friends or relatives. Take a few minutes to educate them on safety procedures and not letting any hospital staff take the baby without your approval.

AT HOME

As improved safety measures and security technology has reduced the number of hospital abductions, the number of newborn abductions from home has increased slightly. How can you best protect your baby at home? A lot of it is simply common sense: don’t leave your baby with someone you don’t know extremely well. Demand I.D. from anybody visiting your home in an “official” capacity – if their I.D. seems suspicious, refuse to let them enter your home. Be aware, too, if a casual acquaintance suddenly starts acting like your best friend after the baby is born – especially if you haven’t known them long.

Nix the lawn signs. Those cute little wooden storks on your front lawn announcing “It’s a girl”? They’re practically welcome signs for child abductors. Keep the celebratory balloons and signs indoors.

Watch your garbage. Similarly, putting boxes out at the curb with pictures of car seats, cribs and high chairs is an advertisement there’s a baby on the way. Drop these off at the recycling plant yourself or discard them over the course of a few weeks, broken down and sandwiched in between plain cardboard boxes. Better yet, keep the boxes. Babies go through gear quickly, and you’ll then have the products in their original boxes for sale, donation or for the next baby.

We’re mid-way through World Breastfeeding Week, but it’s not too late to get involved. The theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is “Breastfeeding: Prepared for Life.”

The health benefits of breastfeeding through the first year and beyond are well established. But many people don’t think about nursing mothers during times of tragedy such as earthquakes, floods, or war. There is no better comfort, both physical and emotional, for a mother and baby in the midst of a disaster, than nursing. It’s especially important that nursing mothers receive the support they need, including water, healthy food, and a comfortable place to nurse.

World Breastfeeding Week, taking place from August 1 – 7, 2009 is organized by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. According to the organization, breastfeeding advocates in more than 150 countries will take part in the celebration, now in its 18th year.

Breast is best, even in a crisis

The World Health Organization and UNICEF have joined WABA in the celebration. Both organizations issued a press release explaining the importance of a mother breastfeeding her infant or toddler in the midst of a crisis.

Historically, well-meaning groups have cited “inadequate milk supply” brought on by stress and/or malnutrition as a reason to provide nursing mothers with formula. In reality, breastfeeding through a crisis helps the mother maintain her milk supply (as most nursing mothers know, the more you nurse the more milk you produce), as well as offering emotional benefits throughout the tragedy. The endorphins released during breastfeeding can actually help a mother cope when everything she has known is in upheaval. Meanwhile, the nursing infant or toddlers regains a sense of normalcy from the familiarity of his mother’s milk.

Even more important, the antibodies present in breast milk can help children fight off infections and disease that may result from less-than-sanitary conditions, a lack of clean water and inadequate food supplies.

Breastmilk (unless it is pumped) needs no refrigeration for storage, requires no heating or added water, and involves no sterilization of bottles and nipples. As far as a convenient, nutritious “emergency” food, it really doesn’t get any better!

Local activities

Several local organizations, including various chapters of La Leche League, are hosting fundraising and awareness activities in honor of World Breastfeeding Week, with a specific emphasis on this year’s theme.

Some of the activities include picnics, bake sales, walk-a-thons, potluck dinners and more. You can find out more at the La Leche League USA Web site.

You don’t even have to leave your house to support the message of World Breastfeeding Week, though. The Mother’s International Lactation Campaign (M.I.L.C.), non-profit organization, dedicated to the normalization, protection and promotion of breastfeeding, is holding a Virtual Nurse-in until August 7 at 6 PM.

Get involved

No one likes to think about tragedy striking, but natural and man-made disasters can occur anywhere. There’s no reason for a nursing mother to curtail her breastfeeding during challenging times.

It’s easy to get involved in raising awareness of the importance of breastfeeding during emergencies. You can participate in any of the activities going on worldwide, join M.I.L.C’s efforts as part of the virtual nurse-in or simply take a few minutes while you are nursing to think about those experiencing difficult times – and then spread the word to others about how important it is to consider nursing mothers during emergency preparedness.

It stinks to be a sick mom. There’s no way around that. Housework still needs to be done, dinner cooked, children cared for – even if you feel as if you just want to down a shot of Nyquil and crawl under the covers for about a week.

When you’re a nursing mother – whether your baby is newborn, close to a year, or older – you don’t even have the option of downing Nyquil due to concerns about alcohol and breastfeeding. It can be pure torture. What can you do?

When I came down with a cold last week – at the same time my nine-month-old was battling a double ear infection – I devised a few coping strategies.

Napping

Sleep when baby sleeps. Remember what they used to tell you in those first few weeks after childbirth? That’s right … take advantage of naptime to catch some ZZZs yourself. If you have to, lie down with your nursing baby in the middle of the day. Whatever it takes, get your rest.

Medication

Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl and Chlor-trimeton are approved for use while breastfeeding. Be aware that Benadryl may reduce your milk supply and also may make the baby drowsy. (I know it’s politically incorrect, but if you’re sick, is this really so horrible?)

Keep in mind that most antihistamines and decongestants, including Dimetapp and Sudafed, are not recommended while breastfeeding, as they may substantially decrease your milk supply. Any products with menthol, including menthol cough drops, may also decrease your milk supply. Find out more information on medicine and nursing mothers.

Vaporizers

Research shows that putting Vicks or other menthol products in a vaporizer can be harmful to an infant’s lungs. However, a humidifier with plain filtered water can do wonders to clear and moisten your nasal passages.

Vitamins

This is one of my favorite natural cold remedies, and most doctors say it’s safe if you’re breastfeeding a baby. Every two hours, I alternate a vitamin C drop with a zinc-gluconate drop, such as Cold-eeze. Oddly, vitamin C blocks the positive effects of zinc, so make sure to wait an hour between each drop. Do not drink any citrus for an hour before or after taking zinc, either.

Neti Pot

Highly recommended for people with recurring allergies or sinus problems, a neti pot works well to clear the nasal passages during the common cold, as well. Since it’s all natural and you’re not actually ingesting anything, it’s 100% safe for a nursing mom. It’s not the aforementioned Nyquil, but hey, we’ll take what we can get, right?

Drink Water

If you’re sick and run down, and possibly stressed out as a result, your milk supply may drop. To maintain your supply, make sure you get plenty of rest, drink water, and take in enough calories. A nursing mom needs about 500 more calories per day to compensate for the extra work the body does to produce milk. Since you’re probably not very active if you’re sick, you may get away with eating a little bit less than usual since you’re not burning as many calories. Still, remember to follow the old adage and “feed a cold.” Drink water, tea, juices – anything you can in order to stay hydrated and keep your milk supply up.

The good news, as a breastfeeding mom, is that your body is producing antibodies to fight your cold, and passing those antibodies onto your little one. That’s not to say your breastfed baby won’t get sick if you’re sick, but there’s a good chance she won’t. If your baby does get your cold, it might be a milder version.

I’ve had three colds in the past nine months – my most recent bout passed my daughter by, although she did catch the two colds prior. As she gets older, her immune system is getting stronger and I’m sure the fact that I’m still nursing her has helped a lot.

Like many people of my generation, I didn’t grow up having sunscreen slathered on me every time I set foot outdoors. While I know the health benefits of wearing sunscreen today, that doesn’t mean I like applying it – to me or my infant daughter.

Many sunscreens feel greasy, tacky and oily after application. Put something on a squirmy infant or toddler that makes them slippery – and it’s a recipe for disaster! Other sunscreens are hard to apply evenly because the lotion isn’t smooth enough. And spray on sunscreen? They work great as long as you rub them in, but I’m always afraid of spraying it in my daughter’s eyes.

Then I discovered Earth Baby Sun n’ Fun Baby Sunscreen. Earth Baby’s sunscreen lotion goes on smooth, makes baby’s skin feel soft – not greasy – and provides SPF 30 sun protection for even the brightest days.

Earth Baby also works well as a moisturizer thanks to a special blend of:

• Cocoa butter

• Essential oils of chamomile, vanilla and honey

The Importance of Organics

When my daughter was first born, I went on an all-organic kick. But it didn’t last long and, last night, for instance, she sat munching on a French fry at Appleby’s. But I know it’s important to some moms to find all-organic products for their babies. For me, if I can find a superior product at a reasonable price and it is also organic, that’s a bonus. That is exactly the case with the Earth Baby line.

The Earth Baby line is not only certified 90% organic, it’s also phthalate- and paraben-free, pediatrician-recommended and made in the USA. Knowing the product is safe and also supports American industry means a lot to me.

Additionally, Earth Baby partnered with the Forest Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance to use a certifiable 100% tree-free, recyclable FiberStone paper. The packaging contains no bleach and is produced using less energy and no water. It doesn’t get much greener than that.

Oleosome Technology

It’s easy to tell, from all the company is doing for the environment and the U.S. economy, that Earth Baby cares about its customers. The company is also on the cutting edge of technology. It uses proprietary, award-winning oleosome technology (winner of a Frost & Sulliven Technology Innovation of the Year Award) to deliver nutrients directly into the baby’s skin.

Oleosome technology, appearing more and more in high-end beauty products, uses Fresh Cells to deliver nutrients directly to the skin. Picture tiny bubbles within the products, filled with extracts of fruits and vegetables, that burst upon application, releasing healthy nutrients like beta-carotene, and E and C vitamins onto the skin. It’s never to early to start a health and beauty regime for baby, and Earth Baby makes it easy. You’ll find fresh fruit and vegetable extracts deliver through Oleospheres in all their products, including:

• Baby lotion

• Wipes

• Hair detangler

• Baby shampoo

• Bath gel

• Diaper rash cream

Disclaimer

I know this review sounds a bit like a paid ad, but let me assure you, it is not. Earth Baby, as part of a campaign to get their new products into the hands of influential mom bloggers, sent me a sample. I can see why they took that chance – the product really is that good. Now I’m wishing they had offered to send a year’s supply! I’m looking forward to checking out the other products.

I forget where I originally read it – and darned if I can find the link now! – but I heard that babies stick out their tongues right after the first tooth comes in.

We’d been feeling Ashley’s first tooth right below the surface for more than a week. We were lying in bed, she had just finished nursing and I was ready to read her a bedtime story, when she stuck out her little tongue.

“Let me see that” I said, putting my finger in her mouth. And there it was! For two days, I still couldn’t see it but I could feel it.

Her second bottom tooth came in on Mother’s Day. Today, the first top tooth is lingering just below the gum – I thought I felt it surface this morning but I was mistaken.

Teething may begin just a short time before those first central incisors show their cute little tops or, if your child is like my daughter, it could begin very early and seem to go on forever. She started teething at about three-and-a-half months; her first tooth didn’t show up until almost seven months on the dot.

Teeth typically follow this pattern, with the bottom teeth in the set usually coming in first:

• Bottom central incisors

• Top central incisors (these come in anywhere from immediately after the bottom teeth to a month or two later)

• Two additional bottom incisors, followed by two additional top incisors

• Four back molars

• Four canines

• Four additional back molars

There are 20 teeth in a set of baby teeth, and by about 24 months, they will usually all come in – a happy moment for parents when teething is finally over!

Signs of teething include:

• Drool – lots and lots of it!

• Chewing everything in sight. Babies put nearly everything in their mouth – it is one of the ways they explore their world. But if they really start to gnaw down on everything they get their little hands on, they might be teething.

• Refusal to eat (Would you want to nurse or eat if your mouth ached?)

• Frequent night-waking after baby has been sleeping through the night

• General fussiness (Again, what kind of mood would you be in if, quite literally, hard objects were poking their way through your gums!)

• Tugging at the ears

Many doctors say that a low-grade fever and/or a stuffy or runny nose are not signs of teething but may be a sign of infection. By all means, follow your pediatrician’s instructions and if you are concerned about a fever, call the doctor. However, I have noticed that my daughter gets a stuffy nose – her cries sound nasally and she sniffles a bit – every time a tooth has come in and also when her other teething symptoms seem worse. She hasn’t run a fever while teething yet, which I’m sure would be more of a concern.

Since pain in the mouth often radiates up to the ear, and infants can’t really tell the difference, a teething infant may also pull on her ear. However, this symptom combined with a fever could also indicate an ear infection. Trust your instincts, but err on the side of caution if you suspect there’s more at play than teething!

Moms — what sort of teething symptoms have you noticed and how long after that did your baby’s teeth come in?

Ellyn Satter’s book Your Child’s Weight: Helping without Harming, provides clear directions to make mealtimes pleasant and healthy -something I definitely needed as my infant daughter forayed into solid foods.

As I was looking at my own baby book recently, I noticed several frightening parallels between myself and my daughter, specifically regarding weight and eating habits.

Like me, Ashley was born petite. At 6 lbs. 4 oz., she was just over the limit to be classified “low birth weight.” She was 5 lbs. 14 oz. when I took her home from the hospital, and didn’t begin to gain weight again until she was almost 2 weeks old.

I was born at 6 lbs. 2 oz. and dropped to just over 5 lbs. when I came home from the hospital. It was funny to read that my mom had trouble finding clothes to fit me; even newborn size were too big on Ashley at first!

I cringed when I read that the familiar label “Failure to Thrive”, was almost tossed on me as an infant, as well. (I should note that I was formula-fed, while Ashley was exclusively breastfed, so I think genetics play a bigger role in this situation than anything else).

I started getting what my mom lovingly called “chubby” by my third birthday, and the doctor recommended giving me skim milk. I remember by my sixth birthday, the pediatrician would make disparaging remarks about my weight. He often said, “I told you to feed her and feed her. You can stop now!”

I’d like to think those type of comments – particularly from a doctor who had quite the pot belly himself – wouldn’t be tolerated today. But that, along with other factors, led to a life of chronic yo-yo dieting. While I’m what many would call “thin” now, and my BMI is in the healthy range, I still struggle with weight issues.

I do not want my daughter to grow up with the same relationship to food that I have.

When I happened across Ellyn Satter’s Your Child’s Weight: Helping without Harming, Birth through Adolescence while Web surfing, I didn’t waste any time in requesting a copy to review. (Thank you, again, Ellyn).

If you are wondering about the best way to introduce solid foods and want to make sure your infant or toddler grows up with a healthy relationship to food, this book qualifies as a “must-read.”

The beginning of the book explains why diets don’t work – for adults or children – and how early eating patterns can turn into lifelong habits. Then it gives parents the information they need to help their children develop healthy eating habits which will permit children to:

• regulate their own weight from infancy through adulthood;

• learn to recognize their body’s signals of full-ness and hunger;

• learn to appreciate a broad range of healthy foods to create a balanced diet.

At the heart of Ellyn Satter’s philosophy is her Division of Responsibility in Feeding. It states:

• For infants, the parent is responsible for what the baby eats, and the child is responsible for when and how much.

• After infancy, the parent takes on responsibility for what, when and where, while the child is responsible for how much and whether.

This sounds simple, but the philosophy forms the basis for a lifetime of healthy eating, where a child feels in control of food. A child should not view food as reward and should never, ever feel deprived. Children need to know a generous selection of food will be available at a given time and that they are free to eat as much – or as little – as they want.

Satter’s Division of Responsibility should not be confused with Gary Ezzo’s Parent-directed Feeding. Satter believes infants should be fed on demand and no schedule is necessary until they begin solid foods.

For toddlers and adolescents – really, any baby who has started eating solid foods -Satter does stress the importance of a regular schedule. She also emphasizes the significance of family mealtimes to bond with your children. Family meals also permits children to learn table manners by modeling their parents and older siblings’ behavior at the family table.

Before I read Your Child’s Weight, my husband and I would sit down to dinner anytime between 5 PM and 11 PM. Lunch was whatever I could grab quickly and (pre-baby) eat at my desk or (post-baby) eat one-handed and on the go. Breakfast? Yeah. I ate breakfast. Usually.

First, I instituted a set dinnertime – somewhere between 6:30 and 8 PM at the absolute latest, but usually right around 7 PM or 7:30. Then I determined that Ashley and I would sit down for breakfast together in the morning. Lunch, with rare exceptions, takes place at 1 PM everyday.

Another tenet in Satter’s philosophy is to keep emotions out of eating. Don’t reward your child for cleaning her plate, or punish her for failing to do so. Children’s tummies know how much they need to eat to sustain themselves; when parents force-feed or associate rewards with eating large amounts, it eventually shuts off these indicators in a child’s brain, which can lead to a life of overeating.

Of course, it’s impossible to explain and defend a 470-page book in a blog post, but Satter’s philosophies and arguments make sense when she explains them in the text.

Just as What to expect the first year helped me figure out a lot of things about parenting in the first year, Ellyn Satter’s Your Child’s Weight: Helping without Harming is a road map to healthy eating from birth and beyond.

As an Attachment Parenting practitioner (more or less) I try to hold my daughter whenever possible. But she doesn’t care for the baby sling, so there are times during the day when she really needs to sit or lie down someplace and entertain herself. After she outgrew her bouncy seat and began devising ways to escape from her swing, I started hunting for a good, safe seating option. I didn’t want something we’d be shuttling into the attic after a few months, either.

That’s when I found the Cushi Tush. It’s a safe, green, portable sitting solution for your little one that will last until they are about 18 months or weigh 30 lbs.

Hailed as the “perfect babysitter,” the Cushi Tush rests flat on the floor with a wide base to prevent tipping. There are no straps or buckles; the baby stays in place by means of the tray that slides into position. A center bar prevents the baby from “submarining” out the bottom of the seat.

Use the Cushi Tush for:

- Play: Like an infant swing, exersaucer, or playpen the Cushi Tush provides a safe place for your child to play while you do other tasks.
- Mealtime: If you’re going to visit friends or relatives and don’t feel like lugging a high chair, the Cushi Tush serves that purpose.
- Storytime: You can turn the book’s pages and read easily, knowing your child is safe and secure.

According to the manufacturer’s Web site, the Cushi Tush is approved by pediatricians and conforms to all safety standards.

In my quest for a baby seat, I was concerned about BPA in many baby products; I wanted something that was safe for my baby and the environment. The chair is not made from polystyrene, but from an ecologically-safe, strong but lightweight and recyclable expanded polypropylene material called ARPRO. Manufacturers use ARPRO to make car seats, bicycle helmets and more.

The Cushi Tush wipes off easily with a damp sponge and does not house bacteria, so it’s sanitary and safe. It’s also dishwasher-safe.

But let’s get down to the really important point: How does the baby like it?

She sits in it for about 20 minutes at a time. Although I’m in the same room, I don’t have to pay constant attention to make sure she’s not rolling or scooting off someplace now that’s she’s mobile. She plays with her toys in it or watches a Baby Einstein DVD and I’m free to fold laundry, wash dishes or even take a shower. She loves to sit in her Cushi Tush and bang on her toy keyboard while I work on my laptop, too!

Because it’s so lightweight, it travels easily from room to room. I also use the Cushi Tush during interactive time; it gives the baby a place to sit for stories and flash card games so my hands are free to turn pages.

We travel a lot, and the Cushi Tush works well in a hotel room as a high chair or, again, a place for the baby to sit while you do other things. It’s a lot easier to carry around for short—or long—trips than an exersaucer or swing.

There are certain things you can’t do with the Cushi Tush. The manufacturers do not recommend using it in the bathtub or on elevated surfaces (it’s not a booster seat). I would love if it had straps so you could use it as a booster seat or if it had a base that made it safe to prop up on the couch.

With no buckles or clips, the tray simply slides off the base and then slides back into place firmly. It’s easy to use, but I doubt even the most resourceful child could remove the tray by herself. I found it tricky to open the seat one-handed while holding the baby the first few times. I eventually discovered the trick of placing my toes on the base for leverage while I wiggled the tray out one-handed. It’s much easier to put the baby down and use both hands to open the chair.

The Cushi Tush comes in blue, pink, green, orange or mottled patterns of blue/green, green/pink or all four colors. For the price (under $40) it’s a good, durable baby product that lasts longer than many other options on the market.

A ‘Lil Cushi Tush, sold separately, lets your child place their favorite doll or stuffed animal in a seat just like theirs! Find out more about the Cushi Tush and other baby products at www.cushitush.co.uk.

Let me preface this review of the Baby Traveller Deluxe diaper bag by Gr8X stating that I am extremely picky when it comes to bags. I’m so picky that when I find a purse I like, I carry it until it’s threadbare, the strap held on by a safety pin, the zipper broken so it doesn’t close entirely and when it tips the wrong way, the contents dump out.

I was equally picky selecting a diaper bag; it was one of the last items I added to my baby registry. I like the one I have, but it’s similar to many others on the market — functional, but not particularly noteworthy.

Then the Babies Online owner posted a link to the Baby Traveller Deluxe. After checking out the specs and style on the Web site, I responded with the enthusiasm of a kindergartner trying to get the teacher’s attention. “I MUST have this diaper bag!” I said.

I loved it before it even arrived on my doorstep. This bag is different!

I couldn’t decide which selling point I like best:

The unique fabric colors and styles, suitable for Mommy or Daddy to carry; (The bag comes in a choice of red, black, black w/ a panel of Realtree™ camouflage, and classic woodland camo.)

The adjustable backpack straps, combined with a classic shoulder strap and a briefcase-style handle, providing a variety of carrying options;

The extra long changing pad;

The drawstring bungee to hold a blanket or breastfeeding wrap;

The removable stroller straps;

The outside zippered pocket, giving me easy access to items I use frequently, like my wallet.

The detachable cell phone holder and insulated bottle holder

Keep in mind, these features caught my eye before I even started using the bag. When I stocked it up, I began to appreciate the multiple inside pockets that keep the bag organized and its capability to carry a LOT of stuff in a relatively compact space.

What’s inside this bag?

Open it up via the easy-to-use-with-just-one-hand buckles, and the bag unfolds into two separate sections, featuring:

Five elasticized “pouch” pockets

One zippered pocket

Two mesh compartments, one divided into three separate sections

The extra long changing pad stores in the center to save space.

Let me compare this bag to my experiences with a “typical” diaper bag:

Last week, out to dinner with my old diaper bag, I spent 15 minutes searching for my daughter’s fork and spoon set so she could “eat” with us. (She loves playing with her plastic spoon). It had somehow fallen to the bottom of the diaper bag, beneath her spare outfit, mail I had to drop at the post office, my wallet and cell phone, the baby first aid kit, baby wipes, her teething drops, and random toys. You know what I’m talking about here, Moms!

The organizer pockets in the Baby Traveller Deluxe keep everything in its own separate compartments, easy to find. And if you forgot where you put something, the mesh pockets let you see at a glance. I keep the things I’m likely to need in a hurry, such as teething drops, Boogie wipes, baby wipes, q-tips and her aspirator, in those pockets. And that fork and spoon!

Plenty of diapers store easily in the zippered pocket. Of course, each Mom is different, and the bag provides plenty of flexibility for placing things wherever you feel they will best fit.

I like to keep my “own” items, since I rarely carry a purse anymore, in the zippered outside pocket where they are secure but easy to reach. Those bills that need to be mailed, shopping list, and diaper coupons tuck into the other outside pocket, which snaps shut.

The only thing I’d ask the manufacturers to add in the next version is a clear plastic bag to hold dirty clothes and diapers. I added my own from my old diaper bag, and it fits like it belongs in the longer mesh pocket.

When I finished loading up the bag, I was able to add things that wouldn’t fit in my old bag. Now I carry a jarred baby food holder/dish, a few extra bibs, and two extra outfits instead of just one. (Can you tell I’m a new mom?)

I also tuck my breastfeeding wrap and a receiving blanket in the bungee holder. (A receiving blanket is like rope: you don’t know what you’ll need it for, you just know you’ll need it.)

My husband asked how much stuff I was going to pack away in there, worrying that if it got too heavy, he’d have to lug it around. Then I folded up the bag. My husband studied it and said, “With all that stuff in there, it still seems smaller than our old bag!” It also feels lighter than a conventional diaper bag, but maybe that’s just because it’s so ergonomic.

The Baby Traveller Deluxe excels at stowing a lot of stuff in a compact space. The bag even fits better than my old bag in the mesh basket beneath the stroller.

How did it do in field testing?

Whether you use the shoulder strap, backpack straps, or the briefcase handle, the bag is lightweight and ergonomic to carry. Using the detachable shoulder straps affixes the bag securely to the stroller, and it’s still easy to remove with one hand. (Do Moms ever get to use both their hands to do anything?)

The real question, however, is: How easy is it to get what you need, when you need it, during a day of shopping, a family vacation or a trip to the park?

It was easy to open and unfold the bag and place the changing pad on the public bathroom changing table, while holding my daughter in one arm. Because you can change your baby right on the bag, everything you need is within arms’ reach. Clean up and fold up when we were done went just as smoothly. The buckles are even easier to use than zippers.

The Baby Traveller Deluxe is so well-constructed I don’t think I’ll see the day when I have to hold it together with duct tape and safety pins. It’s machine-washable and also has a two-year warranty, so it will definitely see my daughter into her toddler years in good condition. I have found my dream diaper bag; I’ll be using the Baby Traveller Deluxe until my daughter outgrows the need for it.

I miss sleeping on my stomach.

Throughout pregnancy I laid on my left side as the American Pregnancy Association and most doctors recommend. This prevents compressing the inferior vena cava, which runs along the right side of your body. It also avoids putting pressure on the uterus, which happens if a pregnant woman sleeps on her back. Finally, sleeping on your left side increases the flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta.

I realized how much I miss sleeping on my back the other day when a pregnant friend of mine asked about a comfortable sleeping position for the late stages of pregnancy. Since I’ve been breastfeeding, I avoid lying on my stomach because I’ve been told it can slow milk production. It would be uncomfortable to lie on my stomach, anyway, as my breasts fill up with milk about three hours into the night. So it’s been more than a year than I’ve slept on my stomach–formerly my favorite sleep position!

But back to my friend’s question: what are the most comfortable sleeping positions in the second half of pregnancy when your belly seems to get in the way no matter how you turn?

The answer lies (no pun intended) in pillows — and lots of them.

If your partner doesn’t mind and there’s room in your bed, you may want to place a pillow behind you to keep you from rolling onto your back in your sleep. As your pregnancy progresses and you get larger, the pressure on your uterus from lying on your back may wake you. And it’s not that easy to roll back onto your side.

I found it comfortable to lie with my legs bent and a small pillow between my knees, too.

Finally, the third—and some people may say the most important – pillow should go under your abdomen in front of you to support your belly. Personally, I also liked clutching a pillow to my chest. It made me more comfortable and helped alleviate the tenderness in my breasts.

If you have a full-size body pillow you can use it to support most of your body to keep you comfortable. Since pregnant women tend to be warm all the time you’ll want to opt for one with a cool linen cover.

If you are also suffering from heartburn, the American Pregnancy Association recommends sleeping propped up with pillows. I know pregnant women who slept sitting up in an easy chair because it was the only way they could get comfortable. Hopefully the pillows will help you and you won’t have to go to such extreme measures.

Pregnancy goes by so very quickly. Before long you won’t need pillows to help you find unusual but comfortable sleep positions. Instead, you’ll spend half the night be contorting to fit yourself and your spouse around a co-sleeping toddler who is taking up more room than anyone could imagine for a three-foot tall human being.