‘Sleeping Safely’ Public Awareness Campaign Launched After 76 Infant Deaths Occur 18 Months

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City health officials in Philadelphia launch ‘Sleeping Safely’ Public Awareness Campaign after staggering statistics were released Tuesday about infant deaths.

Officials said that 76 infants died in unsafe sleeping environments during the past year and a half. That’s more babies dying in unsafe sleeping conditions than from neglect or physical abuse over the past 18 months.

Unsafe environments include “co-sleeping” — sleeping with an adult or older sibling — as well as placing the baby on a couch, chair, or in a cluttered crib.

Two women who lost their babies in co-sleeping accidents joined Acting Department of Human Services Commissioner Dr. Arthur Evans and Health Department Commissioner John Domzalski at the campaign’s launch Tuesday.

Experts say the safest way to put babies to sleep is on their backs in an uncluttered crib. Representatives from DHS’ partner Cribs for Kids program were also on hand Thursday to demonstrate the proper way to do it.

“There are so many dangers for baby in an adult bed. You can be rolled on top of, they fall off beds — they get trapped,” said Lisa Stalberg of Cribs for Kids.

Tips for lowering the risk of sudden infant death syndrome:

 

Always place a baby to sleep on his or her back.

Don’t smoke around a baby or pregnant woman.

Place a baby on a firm mattress.

Remove soft, fluffy bedding and toys in sleep areas.

Keep blankets away from a baby’s nose and mouth.

Don’t use too many layers of clothing.

Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

ARTICLESOURCE

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CPSC Warns That Home Lead Test Kits Are Unreliable

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With all of the recalls that are happening with children’s products, parents may think that a home test could identify if their child’s toys are safe.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced the results of a special evaluation of consumer lead test kits. CPSC staff used commonly available test kits on a variety of paints and other products containing different levels of lead. Many of the tests performed using the kits did not detect lead when it was there (false negatives); some indicated lead was present when it was not (false positives). Of 104 total test results, more than half (56) were false negatives, and two were false positives. None of the kits consistently detected lead in products if the lead was covered with a non-leaded coating. Based on the study consumers should not use lead test kits to evaluate consumer products for potential lead hazards. These findings are consistent with previous CPSC staff test results.CPSC staff studied two common types of home lead test kits that are based on chemical reactions involving rhodizonate ion or sulfide ion. Most test kits were developed to detect levels of lead in household paint that are usually much higher than CPSC’s regulatory maximum level of 0.06%. As a result, staff found that these kits may not be useful for detecting relatively low lead paint concentrations or for detecting lead in other materials, such as metal jewelry or vinyl products. Also, both types of kits may be affected by substances such as iron, tin, or dirt, or by paint colors that can cause the color in the test kit to change or hide the color change, thereby interfering with interpretation of the test results.

As part of the study of lead test kits, CPSC staff also evaluated the use of x-ray fluorescence (XRF) for screening for lead in paint and other products. Twelve of 13 samples were correctly identified as containing lead. The staff notes that this technology may be of use by a professional inspector for screening for the presence or absence of lead in products, particularly for surface level lead. However, XRF detectors are generally not available for consumer use. Further, use of an XRF device requires knowledge, training and consideration of its limitations. For example, XRF detectors have limited depth of penetration so, for certain applications such as children’s metal jewelry, it is possible for the surface coating to mask the presence of potentially hazardous leaded base metal underneath.

Consumers should exercise caution when using these test kits to evaluate consumer products for potential lead exposures. False results can make it difficult or impossible for consumers to determine the proper course of action to take. In fact, CPSC staff has tested a number of other samples that had been identified by consumers and others based on their use of inexpensive test kits as having high lead levels. To date, none of these items has actually had high lead levels based on CPSC lab analysis. This is another indication of the poor reliability of the kits for this purpose. Testing by a qualified laboratory and trained personnel is the only way to accurately assess the potential risk posed by a consumer product that may contain lead.

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Jon and Kate Plus 8

I write a lot about mega multiples on this site because they are rare, but interesting.

I have recently started watching Jon and Kate Gosselin’s show on TLC called ‘Jon and Kate Plus 8′.

The popular network follows the family through their everyday life of chaos as they try keep peace and control in their home.
The couple has a set of twins and a set of sextuplets, all born by fertility treatments.

Kate delivered the sextuplets on May 10th, 2004. The babies arrived at 30 weeks gestation weighing between 2.5lbs and 3lbs. At birth all babies need to be on ventilators.

With each episode that I watch, I am utterly amazed at Kate’s ability to keep her household under control.

She prepares all of the families meals from scratch and tries to use as much organic food as possible.

The couple estimates that monthly grocery bills only run them approximately $150/week with their monthly bill sitting between $600-$800.

Each baby has their own crib, but they all share a room. Instead of having big bulky highchairs the couple has opted to use wooden restaurant type model that can be stacked on top of each other when not in use.

When the subject of mega multiples comes up, most people argue that it is virtually impossible for each child to feel special in a home with so many kids.

Jon and Kate do many things to give each child an identity and let them all know they are special. Last year for their 2nd birthday, friends and family sang happy birthday 6 times so that each child could have their own birthday song.

This show is reality TV without the backstabbing, scandal and shocking surprises. Kate Gosselin is Betty Crocker, Martha Stewart and the mom next door all wrapped up in one.

They don’t believe in keeping up with the Jones’, they just want what’s best for their kids.

For parents who think that their life is chaotic, watch this show. It will put everything in perspective. This mom NEVER stops.

The show airs at 10:00 tonight on Discovery (US) and Monday nights at 10:00 on TLC in Canada.

‘Baby Rhys’ Organizes Your Diaper Bag

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Baby Rhys is a company that was started by a mom/dad team inspired by their son, Rhys.

While travelling with their little one, the couple realized the need for Adventure gear that caters to the on-the-go parent. That is when their line of Baby Rhys products was developed.

The two pieces that I like are the ‘diaper wrap’ and the ‘lunch wrap’.

The diaper wrap was created to help parents by-pass a bulky diaper bag when going out for a quick visit with friends. It holds a diaper, wipe case and a disposable change pad. You can keep one of these ‘wraps’ in the car, your purse or in the stroller.

They make it easy to stay organized and ensure that you are always prepared for the unexpected.

The lunch wrap holds a spoon, bib, tissue and a jar of food. Like the diaper wrap, the whole thing ties up for convenience.

I like that you can pre-package everything you might need when you are in the proper frame of mind, as opposed to trying to remember everything as you are running out the door.

For some reason, I never remember a bib. This organizer may help with that…

The diaper wraps retails for $19.99 and the lunch wraps retails for $17.99.

Everything is machine washable and all Baby Rhys products are handmade with a tight weave cotton.

Please check the official website for more information.

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Kelly Ripa and Son Joaquin in NYC

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Kelly Ripa picks up her son Joaquin, 4 from a birthday party at the Reebok Sports Club in New York City. He looks so cute with all of the birthday stuff hanging off of him.

I am completely in love with Kelly’s Yves Saint Laurent ‘Muse Bag’, but not in love with it’s $1400 price tag.

I wonder if it has pockets for diapers and a bottle?

PHOTOCREDIT:DEVANEY/WIREIMAGE

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WORST Costume Ever!!

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Judging from the look on this poor baby’s face, she feels the same way I do about this costume.

Her parents have turned an adorable Old Navy costume and turned it into ‘Alien’ recreation.

There is ‘blood’ running down her chest!!

SOURCE:NEATORAMA.COM

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Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and Husband Welcome Twin Boys

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Congratulations to Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and husband Michael Nilon on the safe arrival of their twin boys.

Jax Joseph Nilon was born at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 18 and weighed 4 lbs. 7 oz., and Jaid Thomas Nilon was born at 8:31 p.m. and weighed 4 lbs. 9 oz. “We’re so in love with them,” Beauvais-Nilon tells PEOPLE. “They boys are just gorgeous.”

The twins, who were born in Los Angeles, join Oliver, the actress’s 15-year-old son from a previous marriage.

PHOTOCREDIT:Granitz/WIREIMAGE

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