Here is an amusing little video that demonstrates the Kaboost:

What do you think?

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Is BPA Safe for Your Family?

Hello NeenMachine.com readers! I am sure most of you have heard the term BPA or Bisphenol-A tossed around in the news frequently over the past few weeks. You may have even encountered a small riot on the baby bottle isle of your local Target when one frustrated employee was trying to explain to 78 parents in a panic which bottles were safe – and which contained BPA. So what is all the fuss? And should we be concerned?

The short answer is - Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been around for ages and is frequently used in plastic #7 (polycarbonate) and epoxy resins. It has long been regarded as safe in low levels, and you can still find many arguments for the safety of BPA.

However, some studies have shown that even very small levels of BPA can mimic estrogen and throw our hormones out of whack. BPA leaches into liquids when the plastic is heated from direct contact with hot liquids/foods, the microwave, and even the dishwasher. A recent evaluation of BPA indicated there is some cause for concern for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants and children - specifically effects of the mammary and prostate glands and an earlier age for puberty in females. Scary stuff.

Prefer the long answer? Check out the National Toxicology Program Brief on Bisphenol A.

What can you do?
Choose baby bottles and sippy cups that are made of glass or safe plastics like polypropylene or polyethersulfone. There are a growing number of great options available, and popular brands like Avent and Dr. Brown’s have announced plans for glass or safe plastic alternatives. You can find a number of BPA-free bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers and other feeding tools at DiapersEtc.com.

• Choose soups and other canned foods that are packaged in aseptic packages instead of cans. Or choose brands like Eden foods that use BPA-free liners in their canned goods. Breastfeed when possible to reduce exposure from canned infant formula. For more information on baby formula recommendations, check out The Environmental Working Group.
• Ask your dentist for sealants that are free of Bisphenol A-derived materials, which can break down into BPA when in contact with saliva. Newer versions of Delton sealants contain the word plus (or the plus sign +) and do not contain any compounds that can break down into BPA.
• Avoid water bottles, like Nalgene, that are made from polycarbonate plastic (#7).
• Avoid food storage containers and utensils made from polycarbonate (#7). Store food in glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers.
• If you must use polycarbonate plastic around food, avoid heating the plastic in the microwave and hand wash with mild soap.

Read more about BPA free bottles here.

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It seems that my four year old daughter refers to permanent markers as “pregnant” markers. It took us a while to figure out exactly what she meant when she asked to use the pregnant markers. But after much guesswork we were able to decode the situation.

And then it dawned on me - my daughter is truly wise beyond her years. While markers are hardly pregnant, pregnancy is certainly permanent.

A good lesson to remember for the teenage years.

And one more phrase to add to “my favorite words“.

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One thing that I have realized since becoming a parent is that naptime is as important for parents as it is for babies. If baby doesn’t take a nap then baby is not the only one that will be cranky.

Unfortunately getting baby to take a nap is not always as easy as it sounds and the term “sleeping like a baby” in reference to a good night’s sleep is a misnomer.

If you are having trouble getting your baby to take a decent nap, here are some parenting tips to take into consideration:

• Watch for patterns in your baby’s sleeping habits during the day. Try to put her down for a nap around the same time everyday. About a half hour before this naptime arrives, cut back on activity so baby will become drowsy and ready for a nap. Do quiet activities like reading a book, or listening to classical music. Have some quiet mommy and me time. Nurse or feed your baby if you find that it helps your child fall asleep. If your baby becomes gassy after feedings then feed the baby a bit before naptime so her tummy will have time to settle before she falls asleep.
• If your baby doesn’t seem tired at naptime, put him down in his crib anyway. Some babies will play on their own for a few minutes before they fall asleep. It is wonderful if baby learns to fall asleep on his own. You want to encourage this behavior as much as possible so he does not become dependent on you to help him to fall asleep.
• Not all babies have this skill though and they will cry when you put them down for a nap. Do not respond to their crying immediately. Before putting baby down for a nap make sure all of their other needs are met - they have been fed, burped, their diapers have been changed, etc. Then put them in their crib for a nap. If they cry, ignore it for a short period of time. Set a kitchen timer if you have to for 5 minutes. Many babies will fall asleep within this timeframe. If baby doesn’t stop crying then go to his room and pat his back for a quick minute - just enough to provide assurance to baby. Then leave the room for another 5 minutes. After a few tries, if this does not work, make sure that baby is indeed sleepy and in need of a nap or that there is not something else that is bothering him.

Another thing to keep in mind is the total amount of sleep that your baby is getting each day. As your baby gets older she will require less sleep. If she goes to bed very early and sleeps for a long stretch at night, she may not take long naps during the day.

Remember, on of the most important parenting tips is to treat your baby with lots of patience. His sleep patterns will change slightly from day to day. If you remain calm and flexible, your child will learn to adapt more easily.

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• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a nightmare that all new parents fear. For Kyra Oliver Hitzeman, this nightmare became a reality in 2002 when she lost her infant son, Hayes, to SIDS.

Determined to free the world of this curse, Kyra and her husband founded the Hayes Hitzeman Foundation. The aim of the Foundation is to educate parents and caregivers of newborns about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and to spread the message that babies should be put to sleep on their backs.

The vehicle for Kyra’s message is the cute onesie pictured here. By distributing this onesie free to area hospitals (currently in Virginia and Tennessee) all parents of newborns learn about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome even before they take their baby home. So far, over 50,000 onesies have been distributed.

You can help the Hayes Hitzeman Foundation distribute their message by ordering a onesie for yourself or someone you know (it makes a great baby or shower gift) or by making a donation. Their website is http://thissideupcampaign.org .

Tips for Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (from the This Side Up Campaign website):

• Put baby to sleep on back
• Give baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime
• Keep baby out of grown-up’s bed
• Remove all toys and soft bedding from baby’s sleeping area
• Do not allow adults to smoke around baby
• Keep baby from getting overheated
• Breastfeed baby

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