Baby 411 & Toddler 411 Blog

Nap Nanny recall

The Consumer Product Safety Commission requested a recall this week on the infant sleep recliner called the "Nap Nanny" after a four month old baby died while using one. The company voluntarily recalled 22,000 recliners and has safety and recall information available here. Specifically, model numbers NN1010, NN1020, NN1030, NN1040,NN1050, NN1055, NN1060, and NN1070 are being recalled.

The Nap Nanny is foam recliner (think of it as a comfy Lazy Boy for babies) that allows a baby to sleep at a slight incline (often recommended for babies with acid reflux/heartburn).The product has a harness strap, that should keep the infant restrained in the recliner. It is intended to be placed on the floor, not inside of a crib.
By report, the baby who died was found in her crib, hanging over the recliner and wedged between the product and the crib bumper. There have also been 22 other reports of babies who have been able to maneuver their way out of the restrain harnesses.

According to Nap Nanny's manufacturer, there are two generations of this product. The first generation models were sold before August 15, 2009 and are the ones involved in the recall. The newer models have a slightly different harness, and are not of concern if used properly. That means the Nap Nanny should be placed on the floor and the Velcro straps of the harness must be connected to a D ring on the foam every time you take off and replace the cover.

Baby 411 now available on Apple's iBookstore

Great news! Baby 411 is now available as an ebook on the Apple iBookstore! Just download the free iBooks app, search for Baby 411 and voila! You can read Baby 411 on your iPad or iPhone!

And for those blog readers in France, Germany, Canada or the UK, you can also download Baby 411 Apple ebook in those countries and pay in your local currency.

If you prefer Kindle, we've got you covered there as well---download the Kindle edition of Baby 411 from Amazon's store.

Which e-reader do you prefer? Let us know and we'll make sure to add your fave in the future!

Swimmer's ear 411

Wondering about swimmer's ear? I got my ENT hubbie, Dr Mark Brown, to help me out with some great advice on treatment and practical tips to prevent it. Read all about it at my WebMD blog.

Toilet Training tips

Reader question of the day:

Q. My 2 1/2 year old seemed like he was ready to potty train so he has been wearing underwear for the past four weeks. He was interested at first and we used a sticker chart for his successes. He's only told me once that he needs to pee and refuses to poop on the potty. Now he doesn't seem to care about getting stickers. What should we do?

You are currently being toilet trained, but unfortunately, your child isn't!  

Look at wearing underpants as a privilege for toddlers who are ready. Toilet training takes only one day--but it has to be the right day! Unfortunately, if you've been working at this for four weeks, you didn't pick the right day. For now, continuing your current regimen will only lead to frustration on your part and a sense of failure for him.

What to do? I suggest putting him back in diapers until he is developmentally ready to toilet train. Wearing diapers is not "going backwards," rather it is taking the pressure off both parent and child until it is really the right time. You will know if your child is "ready" if he is unhappy about being wet or dirty and if he is clued into the urge to go. (Toddlers will go and disappear behind the couch, into the closet, etc and poop privately. Clearly, they know what's about to come.) At that point, put him in training cotton underwear (called training pants) sold at baby specialty stores for a weekend. (I don't recommend Pull Ups or other toddler training diapers. There is very little motivation to stay dry in them.)

It doesn't sound like your son is ready, and that's okay. You can always try again in a few weeks if he shows more signs of being ready. But don't worry if he isn't--try again another time. You may have a few false alarms until the time is really right. By the way, sticker charts, candy, and other forms of bribery don't work very well. The only TRUE motivation to be potty trained is the desire to be clean--that is what will make your child stop what he is doing and take the time to go to the bathroom. 

Good luck! And don't worry...it will happen!

Food poisoning and raw goat's milk...raw foodies beware!

 

BOULDER, CO. (Where else would you expect?!)

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has verified that an outbreak of food poisoning that has sickened 30 people and hospitalized 2 children is due to consumption of raw (unpasteurized) goat's milk from a local goat dairy farm.

The unpasteurized milk contained Campylobacter and E coli bacteria, which are notorious for causing food poisoning. The dairy farm which ran a "goat sharing program" and sold raw goat's milk to about 40 families has been shut down until it is able to fulfill state health department regulations. And, remarkably, the publicity around the farm has increased interest in the goat sharing program! Only in Boulder, folks!!!

But here is the reality check: Even if this farm improves its disinfectant standards, their unpasteurized milk (and anyone else's) is dangerous.

Raw foodies argue that raw milk is "healthier" because it has nutrients that are lost in the pasteurization process. It's healthier, I guess, if you survive the germs that live in raw milk!  Louis Pasteur is probably rolling over in his grave right now.