For parents unfamiliar, Bumbo seats were first recalled in 2007. The company claims parents were not using them correctly by placing them on elevated surfaces. The child, who wiggles around and potentially arches his or her back, falls out, hits the floor, and can experience a skull fracture. At the time, 28 fall-related injuries resulted in the recall of 1 million products. In response, Bumbo International put the following warning on all seats: “WARNING – Prevent Falls; Never use on any elevated surface.”

On the other hand, parents didn’t seem to get the message – or, more precisely, read the new warning. With Bumbos still placed on elevated surfaces, more children experienced injuries, and the CPSC issued a second recall in November 2011. The company, at the time, remarked that parents need to use the seat properly – on the floor, with the baby watched at all times.

Consumer groups, however, point out holes in this assertion, as some of the fall-related skull fractures did not occur from elevated positions. In fact, they claim, the babies were seated on the floor.

What do you think should be done about this baby seat? Should Bumbo redesign its product to be less fall-prone? Or should parents look elsewhere? If putting the child down for a few hours is a primary concern, several other baby seats, in better, if not safer, configurations are available.

Related articles

• Are Bumbo child seats safe? (necontact.wordpress.com)
• New Warning Issued For Bumbo Seats (lisabarger.typepad.com)

Although brand name products have the upper hand to store varieties in regards to advertising, results from the Kelton study show:

• 58 percent of new mothers constantly think about items to purchase for their baby.
• 37 percent feel guilty about not being able to purchase name-brand baby products.
• 53 percent daily consider how baby products factor into their budgets.
• 59 percent are worried about their general finances.
• 75 percent spend less on themselves, including for entertainment, dining, and new clothes.

Anxiety about not doing the best, the study claims, induces guilt, but where is this feeling coming from? Advertisements focused on babies and parents get the blame, as they appeal to a parent’s emotions in regards to their child. Regarding the results, Sandra Gordon, national baby products expert and author of Consumer Reports Best Baby Products, 10th edition, stated to the press:

“This study sheds light on what moms are going through from both an emotional and economic standpoint. Moms are so intent on absorbing as much baby-related information as possible, and making the right purchasing decisions, that it can be easy to overlook inexpensive options that are just as safe and effective for their baby.”

On the other hand, name brand isn’t always an indicator of quality, and parents using advertising as a source for purchases spend more than they need to. In many cases, this amount could be going toward other areas in their budgets.

Jessica Alba is one of the more recent stars to attach her name to a product. In the past, we saw a proposed baby clothing line from Snoop Dogg and David Beckham, onesies sporting a quote from Kate Moss (“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”), and baby sheets from Saved by the Bell and 90210 actress Tiffani Thiessen. Alba, on the other hand, is introducing a line of eco-friendly diapers and other baby products under The Honest Co. Making its first appearance last week, Honest.com, the company’s website, started offering nontoxic, eco-friendly diapers, biodegradable baby wipes, and organic bath and skin care products.

For an actress who starred in television show Dark Angel and more recently in the Fantastic Four and Machete, such an endeavor seems odd; yet, in an interview with the New York Daily News, Alba talked about getting a rash after using baby-safe detergent. Upon researching the ingredients, she found that many weren’t organic, and while she found some truly eco-friendly baby items here and there, they were difficult to come by. To the newspaper, she explained:

“It was exhausting. I had a baby, I was working. I didn’t have time to go everywhere. And I get it. Everything has a green leaf on it or brown or beige. I’m like, just because it’s eco why does it have to be brown, beige, or have a green leaf on it?”

The Honest Co.’s eco diapers are not only nontoxic, but they also come in colorful patterns and are affordably priced. Aside from her new line, other green baby products can be found through Rattlecake and Dada Baby Boutique.

Yet, the negative facets rarely register on an individual’s radar until a tragedy is recounted in greater detail. South Carolina newspaper The State did such a piece recently. Describing the experiences of one family in Richland County, the piece goes onto discuss why cosleeping is hazardous for infants and the possibility that cases diagnosed as SIDS may, in fact, involve dangerous sleeping arrangements.

If your child is 1 years old or younger, how strong is he or she? How well can he or she move? Even the most developmentally-advanced babies, however, find themselves trapped when a larger person in the bed rolls over or even accidentally lays an arm or leg across an airway. Because the child can neither move nor lift, he or she often suffocates.

Gary Watts, the Richland County coroner, quoted in the State piece mentions that more infant deaths may be attributed to cosleepin than previously assumed. In the event a child suffocates in the family bed, a coroner asks the caregiver to recreate the situation in order to rule out SIDS, which does not involve a dangerous sleeping arrangement. Aside from family beds, laying a baby to sleep on a couch or arm chair, in a crib with a comforter or pillow, or in a room with a dog are also considered sleeping hazards.

Some habits can be difficult to break, however – including cosleeping, which may have been used by families for generations. About this, Watts told the press:

“My grandmother did it, my mother did it, and I know I did it. But it’s unsafe. At some point, you have to realize it’s a danger to the infant. If you want to have a child in the room – put him in a bassinet beside your bed.”

One parent sharing the same space with Beyonce and Jay-Z’s group describes being pushed out for the sake of security. He said: “They just used the hospital like it was their own and nobody else mattered. […] They locked us into the NICU and would say, ‘You can’t come out to the hallway for the next 20 minutes.’ When I finally was able to go back out, I went to the waiting room and they’d ushered my family downstairs!”

Do you think witnesses are exaggerating? Is this level of security necessary for the famous couple? Those quoted, however, may just be overstating for the sake of gossip. A hospital spokesperson told the magazine that, while the couple did reserve space, they didn’t take up a full floor.

Not even a week old, Blue Ivy already appears in a song and had a statement released. Written by Jay-Z, “Glory,” now already available online, features his daughter’s first cries. An ordinary couple – one without multiple chart-topping albums – might put out a simple birth announcement, printed with a photo of the new baby, to family and friends, but Jay-Z and Beyonce did theirs on a large scale, having a publicist put out a statement that reads much like a birth announcement:

Hello Hello Baby Blue!
We are happy to announce the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, born on Saturday, January 7, 2012. Her birth was emotional and extremely peaceful, we are in heaven. She was delivered naturally at a healthy 7 lbs and it was the best experience of both of our lives. We are thankful to everyone for all your prayers, well wishes, love and support. Beyoncé & JAY Z

While banned from baby bottles in some states, such as California, BPA can be found in items ranging from soup cans to receipts – and now baby products. BPA mimics estrogen in the body and can harm a child’s brain and behavioral development. In addition to California, 17 other states have enacted laws against such chemicals in products over the past decade, and a national measure, the Safe Chemicals Act, is in the works.

If it passes, the Safe Chemicals Act would override the Toxic Substances Control Act, which is now 35 years old and has never been revised. Once in place, the Safe Chemicals Act would require chemical manufacturers to disclose health and safety information for compounds and to control harmful substances.

While states are taking on this responsibility for now, companies, such as Johnson & Johnson, are addressing recalls pertaining to chemicals. According to the Associated Press, Johnson & Johnson announced in November that it is removing traces of chemicals from its baby products all over the world. The realization to change began in May 2009, when two possible carcinogens were found in the brand’s popular Baby Shampoo. Additionally, two dozen other products were recalled over two years. Although Johnson & Johnson is still improving, the brand mentioned it has removed phthalates from baby products.

Environmentally-friendly baby products are difficult to come by. Yet, removing chemicals from a baby’s space is crucial. Parents should be able to create such a space for their children, and hopefully the Safe Chemicals Act will allow them to do so.

The fashion house recently appointed Papo d’Anjo’s Cathering Monteiro de Barros to vice president of the children’s line. Although no prices have been announced, the kids clothing is expected to hit stores in fall 2012 and will include garments for girls and boys between the ages of 18 months and 14 years. While fashion-forward pre-teens with money may gravitate toward the line, the brand claims its clothing will be for parents who “want their children to look like children.”

In addition to Fendi and Gucci, other ultra high-end brands have veered in the direction of children’s fashion, including Paul Smith, Burberry, and Stella McCartney. Profiled by the New York Times, these high-end designer kids lines fall into two camps: mimicking adult fashion in style or specifically designed for children. In addition to Oscar de la Renta’s upcoming line, Fendi falls into the latter. To the press, Silvia Fendi said:

“There is a fashion element to the collection. But it is important that it be clothing that works for children and that it be made well from good materials.”

On the same note, these high-end designer lines are made to last or, in the case of Stella McCartney, use eco-friendly materials. Yet, considering how quickly children – especially toddlers – go through clothing, is shelling so much for an outfit worth it? Unless the item is to be passed down, it ends up being nothing more than an expensive novelty.

The survey shows that a mother’s thoughts change after she has a child. Money is primarily on her mind, with parenthood coming in second. But, while this figure may cause some to say, “Pay more attention to your kids!”, the majority of new mothers (60 percent) find themselves making more daily financial decisions; 30 percent split decisions equally with a partner.

Financial decisions and responsibilities increase at the same time. These include deciding on new products, budgeting more, spending, managing savings, and financial planning. While mothers generally spend less on themselves than before, they seek out deals or coupons more. In fact, saving is considered more often, as well as rethinking financing and discussing spending with a partner.

Saving, additionally, shifts from paying off past debt to future planning. A new mother, as well as her partner, starts saving for a child’s education, begins to plan retirement, and is regularly thinking of strategies to lower spending.

Although her role in the workplace and, if magazines are any indication, getting her pre-baby body back are generally thought of as concerns and changes for new mothers, finances go through just as much of a change, if not more. About the results of the survey, Linda Descano, CFA(R), President and CEO of Women & Co., said in a statement:

“As every parent knows, having a baby changes everything – and finances are not an exception. The life change of a baby brings about new and substantial financial needs and questions. After having children, moms are increasingly taking charge of not just day-to-day spending, but also the longer-term planning of the financial future of their family.”

• Eco-friendly diaper cakes from Rattlecake put a mundane yet necessary item in an attractive package. A typical Rattlecake diaper cake has 80 to 150 diapers and various baby toys attached to the outside. Eco-friendly diaper cakes have Seventh Generation diapers and assorted organic cotton and corn fiber-filled toys on the outside.

• Baby Planet Zoey Strollers are environmentally friendly and safe – two qualities any parent enjoys. Each Zoey stroller can be used with timi & leslie diaper bags and is equipped with all-terrain wheels and a five-point harness.

• Naturepedic mattresses come in sizes for babies and children. Regardless of the size, however, all Naturepedic mattresses are made out of organic cotton, without harmful chemicals and allergens, and are waterproof.

• On the same subject as bedding, consider a Moses basket stand for a parent who has one of these temporary baby beds. Each is made out of organic wood with no paint, stains, or toxic finishes.

• Yellow Label Pink Cuddle Dolls are all handmade – no machines or child labor is involved. Each soft toy, which can be given to a baby or toddler, is made by hand in accordance with Fair Trade practices.

• Surprise a new mother with a Lassig Vintage Metro diaper bag. With a colorful print, each diaper bag is made without PVC, nickel, AZO dyes, or phthalates.

• Toys, toys, toys. A kid can’t ever have too many toys; yet, parents find that some activities are more useful than others. While play appears to be for fun, it’s educational for babies and toddlers but not in the ways you may think. Rather than reaching for Your Baby Can Read, find toys that stimulate a child’s senses, assist with building motor skills, or encourage creative or critical-thinking skills. For babies, these toys are often black, white, and red or have various colors and textures. For toddlers, on the other hand, soft toys that keep them active, such as blocks, dolls, or play sets, are your best bet.

• Be practical. Parents can never have too many onesies or diapers. But rather than going a mundane route, dress up your present. Holiday diaper cakes have a fun appearance and include 80 to 150 diapers. For clothing, consider the child’s age or size and go with basics: onesies, t-shirts, footies, or pants. Also, if parents prefer pink or blue, make sure to keep colors in mind.

• Think about parents’ wants or needs. Is a new mother carrying around an ordinary diaper bag? Surprise her with one that looks like a designer handbag on the outside but is equipped with all the features a parent needs inside. Or, if parents are in need of a new stroller, car seat, or crib, consider purchasing one, but ask about their preferences beforehand.