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Even Teen Burglars Have Soft Spots For Babies

babysugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:15:03 -0800

Tonight on the 6 'clock news - thieves feeding babies. Sounds crazy but that's what happened to a family in Indianapolis. While two high school students were robbing a house, a baby started to cry. Either out of the kindness of his heart or his desire to hush the baby (I'm putting my money on the latter), the 18-year-old thief warmed up a bottle of milk and allowed another child in the house to feed the wailing babe. Unfortunately the rest of the story is not so delightful. He held a gun to the head of the father of the family and threatened to kill him. In the end, it was his aunt who turned him in to the authorities. Thankfully everyone is safe and sound, especially that scared baby.

Maclaren Recalls One Million Strollers

babysugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:17:32 -0800

One of the top pram producing companies of the world is facing a tough task this morning. The always-popular Maclaren is recalling one million strollers that were sold between 1999 to the present. The problem at hand? Faulty hinges. The press release issued by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports wee fingers are at risk of getting severed during the unfolding or opening of the stroller.

Parents are being advised to stop using their strollers immediately until the models are known and the repair kits are issued. The buggy manufacturer will be providing the hinge covers on their website and through a hotline. The models have not been announced yet as the recall was to be released tomorrow. We will have an update on the make and model when the information becomes available.

Babies Having Babies in Bulgaria

babysugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:38 -0800

Sadly teenage pregnancies have become all too common, even trendy in some spots. While movies like Juno make it seem like an American phenomenon, other parts of the world have seen babies having babies for ages. In many countries, the age of consent is as low as 13 or 14. Though it varies by state in America, the average age of consent is 16. So when we hear about an 11-year-old having a daughter, it still shocks the system. When I think of 11-year-olds, I imagine budding girls starting middle school and having their first crush. I think training bras and scrawny legs, not breastfeeding an infant. But that's exactly where one young lady finds herself.

An 11-year-old Bulgarian girl had a daughter in the middle of her wedding festivities. Yes, wedding festivities. The two wanted to tie the knot before the baby's arrival. Apparently it was love at first sight when her 19-year-old fiancé rescued her from a bullying group of lads. The two consecrated their love for each other within a week and unknown to him, she lied about her age so not to scare him off. She immediately became pregnant with his child. Now the two teens are parents to Violeta. The new mommy said, ""I'm not going to play with toys anymore - I have a new toy now."

A Reminder to Buckle Those Tots in Tight and Apply the Brakes

babysugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:05:34 -0800

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Most every parent has had a close call with their child. Rolling off the bed, falling down stairs and bumps on the head are common occurrences for many mamas. What isn't so normal is a stroller rolling onto train tracks just as the engine barrels down the rails. Such was the case with the Shweta Verma, the Australian mum whose child fell onto the rails but miraculously survived with just a gash to his noggin. Obviously still shaken by the past events, the mother sat down and chatted with Matt Lauer on the Today Show. This clip is a good reminder to use those safety straps or wheel brakes, especially on an incline.

Cereals Marketed to Wee Ones Are the Least Healthy Ones

babysugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:00:54 -0700

As if we didn't already know this... a new study out reveals that all of the commercials that bombard wee ones during Saturday morning cartoons are marketing the least healthy food options for youngsters. In between Imagination Movers and Dora the Explorer, tiny viewers are likely to see an advertisement for Lucky Charms, Coco Puffs, and loads of other sugar loaded cereals. When mama heads to the grocery store, it's almost a given that her lil guy is going to beg for the leprechaun laden box that just so happens to be right at his eye level and well within his reach. And to avoid a meltdown, she might just give in and buy it for him.

I had my fair share of Fruity Pebbles and Lucky Charms growing up but I am trying to keep my tots on the good stuff as long as I can - her top two choices are Life and Special K with strawberries. It's just a matter of time until she discovers the land of food colored corn puffs and floating marshmallows. After all, they are magically delicious.

Do you let your tot dive into the bright and sugary stuff?

For the Childless, Womb Transplants Are on the Horizon

babysugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:30:28 -0700

Some women have known all their lives that they were meant to be mothers. When nature does not allow for a man and woman to procreate on their own, people can take alternative routes to building their families: adoption, surrogacy, and in vitro fertilization. But for some ladies, it's not enough to take in an orphaned child or even have another woman carry her own flesh and blood. In that case, a womb transplant could be a dream come true and is very likely to become a reality sooner than later.

Scientists in London successfully performed a womb transplant in rabbits, giving hope to the future of human womb transplants. While there are medical issues to be conquered and experiments yet to be performed, the researchers believe the technique will be tested on women within two years. The topic of human reproduction always proves to be a volatile one. Some will argue the world is already overpopulated and there are plenty of children starving for homes. But for those women who crave the desire to be pregnant, the medical procedure could be the answer to their prayers.

What are your thoughts on the scientific advancement?

Oh Baby! Would You Buy a Portable Ultrasound Gadget?

babysugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:30:29 -0700

How many of you thought Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise were crazy for reportedly having their very own ultrasound machine in their home? Well get ready to call the rest of the population nuts because the world's about to get x-ray happy with General Electric's newest gadget. Expectant ladies who want to swoon over their unborn baby will soon be able do so in the luxury of their own home.

Thirty years ago, women were only given ultrasounds in high-risk pregnancies or rare circumstances. In modern day, most pregnant mamas have the chance to view their growing babe at least three times and often much more than that. Antsy pant parents who fret about the fetus may go gaga for the new portable ultrasound device introduced by GE. Reportedly the size of a BlackBerry and inexpensive, the monitor can scan the body as well as if she were sitting in her doctor's office. Now that's not saying the mother-to-be will have a clue what she's looking at, but it may bring comfort and peace of mind to know she sees some black and white flutter action in her abdomen. Do tell, if the price were right, would you buy such a gadget for your expectant days?

Photo courtesy of CNET

Freakonomics Authors Say Car Seats Can Be as Effective as Seat Belts

babysugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:32 -0700

Maybe our parents weren't so wrong after all. At least that's what the authors of SuperFreakonomics would have us believe. Moms and pops take every precaution to protect their wee ones from harm, including installing top of the line car seats with the highest safety ratings. On Good Morning America, dads and writers Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner told Robin Roberts that car seats may not be the key to keeping tots protected. Rather, the two men argue that harness restraints, like a regular old seat belt, will guard children against harm like a car seat or booster. While they don't promote ditching the seats all together, the below video does make one wonder about the modern day approach.

Check out the video and let me know if it sways your safety thinking at all.

Video courtesy of ABC

Has Your Child Ever Had a Close Call?

LilSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:41 -0700

An Australian mom had the scare of her life recently when her stroller, which was holding her 6-month old baby, rolled off a platform onto train tracks and was hit by an oncoming train. Miraculously, the baby was not hurt and only ended up with a bump on his head. The accident took no more than a few seconds, but it leaves an image that will last a lifetime. Most every mother has had a close call that makes her heart jump to her throat: losing a lil one at the mall, jumping in after a sinking child in the pool, or dislodging a hot dog from a toddler's throat.

Fortunately the train accident is rare and provides another reminder that parents can never be too careful. Despite your best efforts, has your child ever had a close call?

The footage of the train event is difficult to see (even knowing that the baby was not injured) but if you want to watch it, just read more.

New York Mom Hits the Weed to Cope With Work and Wee One

LilSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:00:38 -0700

The word stoner doesn't necessarily conjure up the image of a working woman with a kid, but some mothers find that smoking a bowl allows them to find better balance between career and child. A recent article in Marie Claire included an interview with mama Rachel Murphy, who routinely inhales after she puts her young daughter to bed. In order to secure an insurance policy, the New Yorker had to resort to chugging Ready Clean, which her husband was none to thrilled about. The story said:

The white-knuckle experience became a major source of tension in her marriage, Murphy concedes, so she stopped smoking for a while. But it didn't last. "I'm sorry, but I have a stressful job, I have a baby. I need to unwind somehow, and I don't really like to drink," she grumbles. So, while hanging out with married friends, most of whom are also parents, Murphy will occasionally join in when one pulls out a baggie and starts prepping a bowl. "I got kind of uptight," she says of her weed-free phase. "And my husband was like, 'Actually, I liked you better when you smoked.'"

While some people prefer their children smoke instead of drink and 54 percent of lilsugar readers said parents' bad habits were less offensive when they weren't around their kids - what's your opinion of mommies indulging in marijuana?
Source: Flickr User dana.ocker