Shop Off-Season and Buy Ahead

If you can predict what size your child will be in next winter, there may be clearance racks in your favorite stores right now. Last spring I found fleece pants and a jacket for this winter at Gymboree for just a few dollars each.

eBay

Another way I’ve steered clear of paying full-price is buying used lots off of eBay. I look for the letters “EUC”, meaning “excellent used condition”. Then I look at the buyer’s feedback which is usually close to 100% positive feedback (meaning most or all previous customers gave the buyer high ratings) if I’m going to make the purchase.

Yard Sales

Yard sales are very hit or miss but I did luck out a couple years ago and found someone selling a ton of clothing in my son’s size for about $1 a piece. It’s worth taking a peek and definitely a great way to get toys cheap.

Consignment Sales

A great place to find bargain kids clothes and toys is at rummage or consignment sales. See listings in your area. I’ve done pretty well at a couple of these. Selling your own used items at these sales is a great way to earn extra cash, by the way.

Freecycle

A place for giving/getting other’s unwanted items for free!. I’ve seen baby and kids’ clothes as well as toys and even furniture given away here. Register for your local branch here.

Craigslist

Currently, I’m looking for kids’ bedroom furniture. My sister found entire bedroom sets for her two kids on Craigslist for about $200 a set. I keep checking for a similar deal. The tricky part is figuring out how to transport it once we find it…

Finally, let’s remember that kids grow quickly. It seems wasteful to buy expensive clothes that will only be worn for a short time. Kmart, Walmart and Target have cute stuff for kids at reasonable prices. Only on special occasions will you find me paying full price at a department store or boutique for my little boy’s clothes.

Hazard:
The flowers and the bows on the baby socks can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Units:
About 33,000 pairs

Description:
This recall involves “Aubree’s” and “Hearts” baby socks sold in sizes 0 to 12 months. “Aubree’s” socks have flowers attached to the toes. “Hearts” socks have bows attached to the toes of the heart-patterned socks. “TRUMPETTE” is printed on the soles. They were sold in packages of six pairs of socks in multiple colors.

Incidents/Injuries:
The firm has received eight reports of the flowers or bows detaching from the socks. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy: Refund
Consumers should immediately take the recalled socks away from babies and remove the flowers or bows to eliminate the hazard, or return the socks to the place of purchase or Trumpette for a full refund or store credit.

Sold at:
Buy Buy Baby, Right Start and Trumpette stores nationwide and online at buybuybaby.com, rightstart.com and trumpette.com from December 2012 through February 2013 for about $15.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should immediately inspect this product and stop using it if mold is found. Units currently in retail stores are not included in this recall to inspect.

Name of Product: Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleeper™

Units: About 800,000 units

Importer: Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y

Hazard

Mold can develop between the removable seat cushion and the hard plastic frame of the sleeper when it remains wet/moist or is infrequently cleaned, posing a risk of exposure to mold to infants sleeping in the product. The CPSC advises that mold has been associated with respiratory illnesses and other infections. Although mold is not present at the time of purchase, mold growth can occur after use of the product.

Incidents/Injuries: Fisher-Price has received 600 reports of mold on the product. Sixteen consumers have reported that their infants have been treated for respiratory issues, coughs and hives after sleeping in the product.

Description: This recall to inspect includes all Fisher-Price Rock N’ Play infant recliner seats called sleepers. The sleeper is designed for babies up to 25 pounds and is composed of a soft plastic seat held by a metal rocking frame. The product has a removable, fabric cover that is sold in 14 patterns and color palettes.

Sold at: Mass merchandise stores nationwide and online since September 2009 for between $50 and $85. Units currently in retail stores are not affected by this recall to inspect. Only products that show signs of mold after use by consumers are included in this announcement.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy

Consumers should immediately check for mold under the removable seat cushion. Dark brown, gray or black spots can indicate the presence of mold. If mold is found, consumers should immediately stop using the product. Consumers can contact Fisher-Price for cleaning instructions or further assistance. Cleaning and care instructions can also be found here or by contacting the firm.

Consumer Contact: Fisher-Price; at (800) 432-5437, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online here  for more information.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and four major retailers are announcing a voluntary recall to consumers who own Nap Nanny® recliners made by Baby Matters, LLC of Berwyn, Pa.

Retailers currently participating include Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Diapers.com and Toys R Us/Babies R Us. At the request of the CPSC, these retailers have agreed to voluntarily participate because the manufacturer is unable or unwilling to participate in the recall.

CPSC is warning parents and caregivers that these baby recliners contain defects in the design, warnings and instructions, which pose a substantial risk of injury and death to infants. This recall includes the Nap Nanny Generations One and Two, and the Chill™ model infant recliners.

In July 2010, CPSC and Baby Matters, LLC issued a joint recall news release that offered a discount coupon to Generation One owners toward the purchase of a newer model Nap Nanny, and improved instructions and warnings to consumers who owned the Generation Two model of Nap Nanny recliners.

At the time of the 2010 recall, CPSC was aware of one death that had occurred in a Nap Nanny recliner and 22 reports of infants hanging or falling out over the side of the Nap Nanny, even though most of the infants had been placed in the harness. Subsequently, despite the improvements to the warnings and instructions, additional deaths using the Nap Nanny recliners were reported, including one in a Chill model. Since the 2010 recall, CPSC has received an additional 70 reports of children nearly falling out of the product.

The Nap Nanny is a portable infant recliner designed for sleeping, resting and playing. The recliner includes a bucket seat shaped foam base and a fitted fabric cover with a three point harness. Five thousand Nap Nanny Generation One and 50,000 Generation Two models were sold between 2009 and early 2012 and have been discontinued. One hundred thousand Chill Models have been sold since January 2011. The recalled Nap Nanny recliners were sold at toy and children’s retail stores nationwide and online, including at www.napnanny.com. All models were priced around $130.

For more information, consumers should review the return policy of the individual retailer from which they purchased a Nap Nanny recliner. If the product was purchased at one of the retailers below, see the link or call for instructions on returns:

• Amazon.com:
• Buy Buy Baby: Toll-free at (877) 328-9222,
• Diapers.com: (800) 342-7377,
• Toys R Us/Babies R Us: (800) 869-7787

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Products:

* Sassy®-branded Hug N’ Tug Puppy

* Monkey and Carter’s®-branded Hug N’ Tug Monkey Toys

Units: About 45,300

Importer: Sassy, Inc., of Kentwood, Mich.

Hazard:

The beads inside the clear plastic sphere at the center of the toys can be released and pose a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 12 reports of beads being released from the plastic clear plastic sphere body on Sassy-branded toys. There have been no such reports on the Carter’s-branded toys. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled toys for infants can be attached to a stroller or car seat using a ring connector on the toy’s head. They have arms and legs that can be easily pulled back and forth for play. The toys are approximately 12 inches tall, made of multi-colored fabrics, contain rattle beads inside a clear plastic sphere body and have the face of either a puppy or monkey. Recalled styles include: Sassy Hug N’ Tug Puppy, model #80213; Sassy Hug N’ Tug Monkey model #80214 and Carter’s-branded Hug N’ Tug Monkey, models #61083 that were sold on a blue packaging card and #61540 sold on a grey packaging card. Sassy®-branded toys have “Sassy®” written on the sewn-in label located on the back of the character’s head. The Carter’s®-branded toys have “Carter’s®” written in red on the blue plastic ring connected to the toy’s head and also the sewn-in label located on the back of the character’s head.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers such as Toys R Us and Target, independent specialty stores nationwide and online retailers such as Amazon.com and Carters.com between July 2012 and October 2012 for Sassy-branded models; and from August 2011 to October 2012 for the Carter’s-branded models. Carter’s-branded models were also sold in Carter’s retail stores. The Sassy-branded models sold for approximately $8 and the Carter’s-branded models for approximately $14.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy:

Consumers should immediately take the toys from children and contact Sassy for instructions on how to return the product for a free replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: Sassy at (800) 323-6336 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.sassybaby.com and go to the Product Recall Information link.

More Information

Super Mom is Super Stressed

At first, I had the grandest of plans for our holidays. Amazing exterior Christmas light display! A Thanksgiving feast! A family-friendly New Years Eve party that packs our house with people! Once I started really thinking about the logistics behind making all these plans actually happen, however, I realized that there was simply no way for this already-stretched mom to manage this dazzling holiday schedule. Who was I kidding? I’m lucky to get the kids off to school on time, let alone manage a hectic self-induced holiday bonanza.

So then I backed off my expectations a little. Instead of planning a Thanksgiving feast, I decided we would just accept an offer from anyone who invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner. I also decided we wouldn’t have Christmas lights outside, and as far as New Years Eve goes, we would just play it by ear.

A Change of Plans

The real epiphany came when no Thanksgiving dinner invite came. It turns out all of our friends were either leaving town or already had houses packed with visitors for the holiday. This is when I really started thinking about holiday traditions, and if it really is a turkey on the table that makes Thanksgiving special or if maybe there was something else I could do to make the holiday special without making me stress myself into oblivion.

Oddly enough, I had a sudden idea to call a nearby indoor water park to see if they are open on Thanksgiving, and lo and behold they were. I pictured the kids frolicking through the water park, entirely too happy to think about how they’re missing Dad on Thanksgiving and instead consumed with soaking each other silly. I approached my kids with my idea, holding my breath in worry that they would complain about the lack of turkey, stuffing, and all that jazz, but they were so thrilled about the idea that the deal was sealed. Our new Thanksgiving tradition was set.

My New Tradition: Flexibility

When it comes right down to it, I had to accept that I was the temporary head of this family and one of the perks was being able to toss tradition aside with reckless abandon. I’ve been wondering a lot about what holiday traditions I stress out about just for the sake of tradition, when in reality the rest of my family doesn’t actually hold the tradition all that dear. As a family, we’re allowed to decide what traditions work for us, and when my husband was deployed, holiday tradition just has to look a little different.

Yes, you read the above right – you can get the carseat canopy free as long as you pay the $12.90 for shipping and handling. That’s a savings of nearly $50.

Get your free carseat canopy by visiting the CarseatCanopy website and using the promo code BABIESONLINE at checkout.

There is an excellent chance that your visit to the CarseatCanopy website will compel you to want to purchase their 5 piece set. Luckily for you, the BABIESONLINE promo code will get you the 5 piece set for only $29.95. Look at everything you get for this small amount:

• Slip Cover
• Head Support Pillow
• Lap Blanket for Baby
• Replacement Umbrella
• Seat Canopy

These are all high-quality items featuring minky material that usually retail for $135. You save over $100 with this deal!

Visit CarseatCanopy and use promo code BABIESONLINE at checkout.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Product: Mother’s Touch/Deluxe Baby Bathers

Units: About 2 million in the United States and an additional 65,000 in Canada

Manufacturer: Summer Infant Inc., of Woonsocket, R.I.

Hazard: When the bather is lifted and/or carried with an infant in it, its folding wire frame can suddenly disengage from the side hinge, dropping the baby out of the bather, posing a fall hazard and a risk of serious head injury to infants.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and Summer Infant have received seven reports of incidents in the U.S., including five reports of infants suffering head injuries from falls from the bathers. Four children between two weeks and two months old received skull fractures, including one that required intensive care for bleeding on the brain. The fifth child received a bump to the head requiring emergency room treatment.

Description: This recall involves Summer Infant baby bathers with a small, nearly square blue or pink plastic base measuring about 13 ½ inches long by 12 ½ inches wide and with the following model numbers listed below. Model numbers are located either on the side of the baby bather near the warning label or on the front near the wash instructions. Some units have multiple model numbers. Model numbers with an additional letter at the end of the model number are also included in this recall.

The bathers have adjustable side hinges with five rivets each and a white wire frame with a mesh fabric sling seat and two or three positions for the seats. Some also have a head support cushion. The fabric seat comes in various colors including white, blue, green, yellow and orange with fish, turtles, butterflies, frogs, flowers and duck patterns. Bathers manufactured since July 2007 include the warning “Never lift or carry the bather with infant in it.”

Sold at: Mass merchandise stores nationwide and on the Web from September 2004 through November 2011 for between $15 and $30.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy:

Consumers should immediately stop using the bathers and contact Summer Infant for a free repair kit that includes a locking strap and instructions. Note: Even with the new locking strap installed, the baby bather product should never be used to lift and carry an infant.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Summer Infant at (800) 426-8627 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.summerinfant.com/batherrepairkit. Do not return to stores as the retailers will not have the repair kit.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Product: CareBears™ Pacifiers

Units: About 119,000

Importer: IDM Group LLC, of New York

Manufacturer: Yi Wu Jiangyi Plastic Co., of China

Hazard

The pacifiers fail to meet federal safety standards. The nipples can separate from the base, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The pacifiers and the clip attachment have CareBear figures and a “TCFC” copyright mark on them. The nipple is made of silicone.

Sold at: Various discount and dollar stores, Walmart Puerto Rico, children’s apparel stores and Consolidated Stores nationwide from October 2009 through June 2012 for about $1.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy

Consumers should immediately take the recalled pacifiers away from infants and contact IDM Group LLC for instructions on returning the product for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact IDM collect at (212) 686-5221 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s recall web site

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Peg Perego USA Inc., of Fort Wayne, Ind., is announcing a voluntary recall of about 223,000 strollers due to a risk of entrapment and strangulation.

Incidents

A 6-month-old baby boy from Tarzana, Calif. died of strangulation after his head was trapped between the seat and the tray of his Peg Perego stroller in 2004. Another baby, a 7-month-old girl from New York, N.Y., nearly strangled when her head became trapped between the seat and the tray of her stroller in 2006.

Hazard

Entrapment and strangulation can occur, especially to infants younger than 12 months of age, when a child is not harnessed. An infant can pass through the opening between the stroller tray and seat bottom, but his/her head and neck can become entrapped by the tray. Infants who become entrapped at the neck are at risk of strangulation.

The recall involves two different older versions of the Peg Perego strollers, Venezia and Pliko-P3, manufactured between January 2004 and September 2007, in a variety of colors. They were manufactured prior to the existence of the January 2008 voluntary industry standard which addresses the height of the opening between the stroller’s tray and the seat bottom. The voluntary standard requires larger stroller openings that prevent infant entrapment and strangulation hazards.

Only strollers that have a child tray with one cup holder are part of this recall. Strollers with a bumper bar in front of the child or a tray with two cup holders are not included in this recall.

The following Venezia and Pliko-P3 stroller model numbers that begin with the following numbers are included in this recall. The model number is printed on a white label on the back of the Pliko P-3′s stroller seat and on the Venezia stroller’s footboard.

The strollers were sold at various retailers nationwide, including Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby from January 2004 through September 2010 for between $270 and $330 for the Pliko P-3 stroller and between $350 and $450 for the Venezia stroller. They were manufactured in Italy.

Remedy

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact the firm for a free repair kit. Do not return the stroller to the retailers as they will not be able to provide the repair kit.

For additional information, call Peg Perego at (888) 734-6020 anytime or visit the firm’s website at www.PegPeregoUSA.com

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below,  announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Product: Convertible High Chairs

Units: About 35,000 in the United States

Distributor: Evenflo Inc., of Miamisburg, Ohio

Hazard

The activity tray on the high chair can unexpectedly detach and allow an unrestrained child to fall, posing a risk of injury to the child.

Incidents/Injuries: Evenflo has received 18 reports of trays that detached, including eight reports of children who fell from the high chair and sustained bumps and bruises.

Description: This recall involves Evenflo high chairs that convert from a high chair to toddler-size table and chair. The convertible high chair can be identified by the model names and numbers listed below. Model numbers are located on a label on the lower portion of one of the high chair’s legs.

Model Name Model Number

• Dottie Lime 29111259
• Dottie Rose 29111271
• Marianna 29111234

Sold at: Toys “R” Us and Walmart stores nationwide and online at Walmart.com and Wayfair.com between December 2011 and June 2012 for about $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy

Consumers with the recalled highchairs should immediately contact Evenflo for a replacement tray with installation and use instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 between 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at http://safety.evenflo.com

Recalled due to Strangulation and Entrapment Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and five retailers are announcing a voluntary recall to provide refunds to consumers who own crib tents and play yard tents made by Tots in Mind, Inc.

CPSC is warning parents and caregivers who own these products that infants and toddlers are at risk of serious injury or death due to strangulation and entrapment hazards presented by these products. Tots in Mind recalled the play yard tents in July 2010 and offered a repair kit that is no longer available. The company is no longer in business and has stopped all sales. CPSC staff urges parents and caregivers to stop using these crib tents and play yard tents immediately. Do not attempt to repair these products.

Reported Injuries

CPSC is aware of 27 tent failures including one fatality and one serious injury that occurred between January 1997 and April 2012 from crib tents and play yard tents made by Tots in Mind, Inc. In 2008, a two year old boy died after becoming entrapped between the bottom rail of a play yard tent and the top rail of a play yard. The fatality was reported in a prior recall with the firm in July 15, 2010.

In 2007, a two year old boy sustained a catastrophic brain injury when the crib tent affixed to his crib tent inverted and the product’s broken rod trapped him at the neck. The remaining 25 reports to CPSC involved inverted crib tents—entrapments between the tent and the crib/play yard or failures of the tent fabric and zippers. Three of these 25 reports also resulted in injuries; in one such case, a parent reported finding her child turning blue and entrapped between the product and the top rail of the play yard.

Since Tots in Mind, Inc. is out of business, retailers who sold these products have stepped up to offer refunds or store credit to consumers. The crib tents and play yard tents can present an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers if the dome portion inverts inside the crib or play yard, or if the product becomes partially detached from the crib or play yard. The recalled products were sold at numerous retail stores including Bed Bath & Beyond/Buy Buy Baby, Burlington Coat Factory, Toys R Us/Babies R Us, Walmart and online on websites including Amazon.com, for between $60 and $85.

Remedy

Consumers should contact the store listed below where the crib tent was purchased to receive either a refund or store credit, depending on the retailer. If consumer is unsure of where the crib tent was purchased, see return policy for individual retailers below on their website:

Amazon.com [Amazon.com]
Bed Bath & Beyond / Buy Buy Baby [bedbathandbeyond.com or buybuybaby.com or (800) GOBEYOND]
Burlington Coat Factory [burlingtoncoatfactory.com or (888) 223-2628]
Toys R Us/Babies R Us [toysrus.com or babiesrus.com or (800) 869-7787]
Walmart [walmartstores.com or (800) 925-6278]

The recall includes various models of about 330,000 crib or play yard tents. Consumers can identify their tent by the 2”x 1½” label with Tots In Mind logo located on the non-mesh portion near the top of the tent.

No model names or numbers are located on the tents, however they can be identified by their pictures and the Tots in Mind logo on top of the tent.

Products included in this recall

• Portable Playard Tent
• Original Cozy Crib Tent
• Cozy Crib Tent II
• Crib Tent for Convertible Cribs
• Portable Playard Tent Plus Cabana Kit

You May Know This Story Already

My story is probably pretty similar to many of your stories. I never seriously struggled with my weight until after I went through a couple of pregnancies. With my first baby, the weight started coming off somewhat quickly after giving birth, but then when I turned around less than a year later and got pregnant again, I quickly found that my hunger skyrocketed as I continued to breastfeed until my fifth month of pregnancy. I’m sure my caloric needs were elevated, but I used my situation as an excuse to eat whatever I darn well pleased, whenever I wanted it.

Unfortunately, my trend of eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted kept on even after I had my second baby. It also kept on after I weaned him. Even when I had no viable excuse for eating like a crazy woman, I still kept eating like a crazy woman.

The Scale Doesn’t Move

A couple of years ago I started working out with a personal trainer. I got really strong and I did lose inches, but the scale hardly moved. I figured I was just destined to be larger and chalked up my weight to all the muscle I was schlepping around. What I realize now is that while I was indeed gaining muscle, I was also still eating every meal as though it was my last.

Then I talked to a nutritionist who told me to try tracking my calories and exercise. After I finished balking about the idea of tracking calories, I went ahead and signed up for MyFitnessPal, largely because it was free and because I was told it was easy to use.

Tracking What I Eat

It turns out that I was eating way too much. I already kind of knew this, but I didn’t realize the extent. I’m now in my third month of using MyFitnessPal, and I’m down 15 pounds. If you’re like me and you always figured that the scale just didn’t move for you because you’re a scientific anomaly, I suggest trying out this free website/phone app  and see if the scale starts to move for you too. Input what you eat and what exercise you get, and just don’t eat beyond your allowed calories. It’s pretty simple.

Just to clarify, MyFitnessPal didn’t ask me to write this blog. I finally found something that works for me, and so I’m glad to pass it along to you.

Name of Product: Push ‘N Snap Cabinet Locks

Units: About 900,000

Importer: Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) Inc., of Columbus, Ind.

Hazard

Young children can disengage the cabinet locks, allowing access to cabinet contents and posing the risk of injury, due to dangerous or unsafe items.

Incidents/Injuries: DJG has received 200 reports of locks that did not adequately secure the cabinet, including reports of damaged locks. Of the reported incidents, the firm is aware of 140 children between the ages of 9 months and 5 years who were able to disengage the locks and gain access to the cabinet’s contents. In three of the reported incidents, the children who gained access swallowed or handled dishwashing detergent, window cleaner or oven cleaner, and were treated, observed and released from emergency treatment centers.

Description: This recall involves Safety 1st Push ‘N Snap cabinet locks with model numbers 48391 and 48442. The model numbers are printed on the back of the product and on packaging. The locks are used to secure cabinets with two straps that wrap around the knobs or handles on a cabinet door. When the product is in the “lock” position, a green triangle is shown through a window on the device. The Safety 1st logo is embossed on the front of the lock. Locks manufactured between January 2004 and November 2010 are included in the recall. The date of manufacture is embossed on the back. The arrow on the date wheel points to the month and the numbers of either side of arrow represent the year of manufacture.

Sold at: Bed Bath & Beyond, and other retail stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from January 2004 through February 2012 for between $2 and $4.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy

Consumers should immediately remove the recalled locks from cabinets and contact DJG for a free replacement Push ‘N Snap lock with model numbers HS158 or HS159. When removing the recalled locks, consumers are urged to immediately store dangerous items out of reach of children.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact DJG toll-free at (866) 762-3212 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website

A Clever Product

The Doodle Rolls are pretty basic, but awfully clever. The plastic container holds a roll of paper in one compartment and crayons in another. It’s all inclusive – you hand your kid the package and there is everything he or she needs in order to get creative right away. I like how the package is set up, because the roll of paper can be perforated easily. This allows kids (or parents) to easily decide how much paper they want to use.

If you’re wondering how my kids reacted to these Doodle Rolls, I want you to picture a crowded casual dining restaurant. We had just gotten to the point to where the kids were getting restless but the adults were still trying to enjoy the meal when I pulled the two Doodle Rolls out of my purse. My daughter (who is a huge fan of anything crafty) squealed in delight and immediately went to work drawing with her friend. My son was skeptical at first until I showed him how the paper comes out in a long roll, and then he was sold. My son and his friend pulled out generous lengths of paper and together colored a story that had something to do with Star Wars, zombies, and horses.

The Doodle Roll Was a Big Hit

All the kids in attendance enjoyed these Doodle Rolls immensely. The parents were impressed too, but when it comes right down to it, I think the opinion of the kids is what really matters here. The age range of the kids with us at lunch were from around 4 years old up to 9 years old, and all of them had a great time with these kits (the suggested age range is 3+). I do wish I would have had access to Doodle Rolls back when my kids were younger; it would have been great to have one of these in my purse to whip out while sitting in waiting rooms or while grocery shopping.

If your young child enjoys doodling, there is an excellent chance that these Doodle Rolls will be a big hit.

This marks the second massive recall for J&J’s Liquid Tylenol in the last few months. They have not yet reported when the product will return to the shelves.

Again, this recall is only for Liquid Tylenol ages 2 years and under.

For more information click here.

Name of Product: ANTILOP High Chairs

Units: About 169,000 (133,000 in the U.S. and 36,000 in Canada)

Importer: IKEA North America Services LLC, of Conshohocken, Pa.

Fall Hazard

The high chair’s restraint buckle can open unexpectedly, posing a fall hazard to the child.

Incidents/Injuries: IKEA has received eight reports worldwide of restraint buckles that opened unexpectedly, including three reports of children who received minor injuries after falling from the high chair.

Description: This recall involves ANTILOP high chairs sold in red, blue or white. The plastic high chair has detachable silver-colored metal legs. High chairs included in the recall have a manufacture date between 0607 and 0911 (YYMM format) from supplier number 17389. The production date and supplier number are molded into the underside of the seat. “ANTILOP,” “IKEA” and the model number are printed on a label affixed to the underside of the seat. Model numbers included in the recall are:

ANTILOP high chair blue Model # 701.467.92
ANTILOP high chair red Model # 501.467.93
ANTILOP high chair white Model # 300.697.24

Sold exclusively at: IKEA stores nationwide from August 2006 through January 2010 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy

Consumers should immediately stop using the high chairs and contact IKEA to obtain a free replacement seat restraint.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (866) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm’s website.

Official Press Release

Knowing When to Seek Professional Help

While there is no right or wrong way to deal with what may be a developmental delay, there are some telltale signs. Firstly, as a parent there are times when you need to go with your gut feeling. If you feel that something is wrong or you see things that cause you concern, err on the side of caution and talk with your pediatrician. It may be nothing, but some developmental delays are more easily corrected if caught early.

Signs of potential problems are based on set developmental milestones that children of a certain age generally achieve. These milestones are categorized into five broad groups, namely:

1. Fine motor skills: This is the ability to color, sort objects based on shape and color, and stack building blocks or similar tasks.
2. Gross motor skills: This refers to sitting up, crawling walking, standing on one leg and similar activities.
3. Language skills:  The ability to understand and speak
4. Social interaction: How the child relates to caregivers and peers.
5. Thinking

Some general signs that may indicate developmental delays are when the child:

• Does not stay as focused on activities as other children of the same age group
• Tends to stare into space more often than not
• Does not frequently make eye contact
• Unable to say short sentences by age three
• Do not react to sounds such as someone calling their name or a dropped object

While a child may be delayed in some areas this does not mean that this is the case for all areas. This is one reason why some delays are not readily identified. Also interesting is the fact that a developmentally delayed child may be gifted in another area. For example, a child who is slow to speak or who has speech problems can be adept with fine motor skills and be an excellent artist.

How to Deal With Developmental Delays

Early intervention is one of the best ways to get help for a child with certain developmental problems. Once a problem is spotted and after evaluation and diagnosis, the pediatrician or other medical expert will advise on the necessary action. It is important to follow-up with exercise programs or other therapeutic programs the child needs. Keep informed about research in the area of childhood development and discuss your concerns and wishes with a pediatrician. Most importantly, parents need to keep a positive outlook and help their child develop with the capacity to deal with their challenges.

B.O.B.® single and double strollers

Units: About 411,700 in the United States and 27,000 in Canada (357,000 units were recalled in February 2011 due to strangulation hazard posed by canopy drawstring)

Importer: B.O.B. Trailers Inc., of Boise, Idaho

Hazard

The stroller canopy’s embroidered logo’s backing patch can detach, posing a choking hazard to babies and young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received six reports of children mouthing the detached patch. Gagging and choking were reported in two incidents. The backing was removed from the children’s mouth without injury. In each of the reported incidents, the children were seated in an infant car seat attached to the stroller.

Description: This recall involves all B.O.B. strollers manufactured between November 1998 and November 2010. Strollers manufactured after October 2006 have a white label affixed to the back of the stroller’s leg with the manufacturing date. Strollers with no manufacturing date listed were produced prior to October 2006 and are included in this recall. The strollers were sold in single seat and double-seat models. The BOB®, Ironman® or Stroller Strides® brand name is embroidered on the canopy of the strollers.

Sold at

REI, Babies R’ Us and other children’s product and sporting goods stores nationwide and Amazon.com between November 1998 and October 2011 for between $280 and $600.

Manufactured in: Taiwan and China

Remedy

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers until they remove the embroidery backing patch from the interior of the canopy’s logo. Consumers should contact B.O.B. Trailers for instructions on removing the backing.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact B.O.B. Trailers toll-free at (855) 242-2245 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.bobnotices.com

Get more information on this recall.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Musical Wooden Table Toys

Units: About 14,000

Importer: Battat Inc., of Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Hazard

Small pegs on the xylophone toy can loosen and detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and Battat have received nine reports of loose and detached pegs. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Battat’s Musical Wooden Table toys. The table has a green painted surface and colorful instruments affixed to the top. The table stands about 7 1/2-inches tall and has three supporting legs. Instruments on the table include a xylophone, cymbal, drum and two drumsticks.

Sold at: Music and toy stores nationwide and on the Internet from September 2006 to October 2010 for about $30.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy

Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Battat to receive a free replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Battat at (800) 247-6144 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.battatco.com