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SIDS Campaign Resulting in Many Flat Heads

LilSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:00:16 -0700

Back to sleep! The anti-SIDS slogan, which was introduced in 1994, is so ingrained in most moms that they don't give it a second thought when putting their wee ones down for some shut-eye. Though the campaign is credited with preventing 2,000 additional SIDS cases each year for the past 15 years, doctors have determined that one in 40 will develop a flat head.

According to The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, flat head syndrome can lead to more ear infections, which, in turn, can result in language disorders and learning disabilities. The researchers have seen a 49 to 54 percent increase in these types of ear infections. If a baby appears to develop a flat head, special helmets can help reshape the skull. To see some of our tips for keeping your tot's head round, just click here.

Did your lil one develop a flat head due to sleeping on his back?

Simple Outfits For Bringing Baby Home From the Hospital

LilSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Bringing home baby is a big deal! 80 percent of lilsugar readers bought their newborns a special ensemble to wear on the special day. While my favorite five must haves included classics, lil conversation pieces and festive patterns - lots of parents tuck a simple set in their hospital bag. Check out these traditional options.

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10 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby

LilSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:00:58 -0700

Cry baby! Some parents are fortunate to find a remedy to their lil one's crying fits, while others are forced to search for solutions on a daily basis. For every book on the subject, there is a mother with her own ideas. While we may not recommend giving the baby a bottle or whiskey, there are plenty of other methods to try. We've gathered up 10 of our favorite ways to soothe a fussy baby, but feel free to add your favorites.

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More Magazines Showcase Belly-Sleeping Babies

LilSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:00:33 -0700

Does the "back-to-sleep" campaign only apply to real-life parenting and not the magazines aimed at moms and dads? A study appearing in the September issue of Pediatrics took a look at 28 women's and parenting magazines – from which many mamas learn about new products and techniques – and found that more than one-third of the photos depicting babies showed them in unsafe sleeping positions, while two-thirds showed them in unsafe sleep conditions. The researchers, who looked at photos to determine if the baby was placed on its side or stomach rather than on its back, as well as the presence of bumpers, loose blankets and strings, are nervous that the images will have greater influence over new parents' actions than their doctors' orders. We've seen set designers place tots in some precariously decorated cribs, both with Brooke Burke's ribbon-filled nursery and Jennifer Lopez's extremely plush one, and say the photos were rooms not designed for use, but photos. Do magazine readers make that distinction?

Test Your Formula-Feeding Knowledge

LilSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

There's so much talk about the benefits of breastfeeding that society often fails to educate new mamas about the proper way to bottle-feed their tots. Recent studies show that moms are not receiving enough information about the correct and hygienic way to formula-feed their lil ones. Take this quiz and see how much you know about bottle feeding baby.

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Lolaloo Stroller Rocker: Ga Ga or Gag

LilSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:00:35 -0700

Baby likes to rock, but mama needs to roll? The Lolaloo ($183) is a battery-operated device that attaches directly to a carriage's handlebars to soothe a baby to sleep so mama can be hands-free while her small fry slumbers. Currently only available in Europe, the quiet product can be adjusted to rock at your baby's preferred speed. Would you invest in this lulling gadget?

Seven Outrageous Items For Attention Getting Infants

LilSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:00:22 -0700

In certain circles like Tinseltown, there's been a bit of a baby boom. While lots of folks outfit their bundles of joy in traditional garb, there are quite a few items on the market ranging from the ridiculous to the outrageous that are sure to make an infant the center of attention - for better or worse. Check out our roundup and be forewarned, the products are not for wee wallflowers!

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Tips on How to Pick a Car Seat For a Newborn

babysugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:00:42 -0700

One of the things at the top of an expectant mom's checklist is to purchase a car seat, but often times she has no idea what to look for in terms of safety and design. Though five star safety ratings are helpful, there are some fairly simple aspects she may also want to take into consideration.

First and foremost, mom should confirm the seat will function properly in her vehicle. Smaller cars may not work with every make and model. The safest seat on the market won't do any good if it can't fit!
Make sure it is suited for infants if intended for a newborn baby. The infant car seats typically provide more padding and protection for a tiny noggin.
If the newborn car seat is detachable and fits on a base, check for ease of use. Most recent models are a breeze to handle.

To see the rest of the pointers, read more.

Pay attention to the width and placement of the straps. A wider strap is preferable as it will not get easily twisted in the buckles and will allow for quick buckling. The straps and crotch buckle should also be adjustable to accommodate a growing child.
Check to make sure the latches or other installing hardware are durable and simple so mom and pop can install or uninstall in a cinch.
Children will make a mess in their seat so one should make sure it is machine washable, breathable, and of course, removable!
Beware of exposed metal pieces, as they can become a hazard when the car heats up.

Did You Dream Feed Your Babe Off to La La Land?

LilSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:00:39 -0700

Does pumping your infant full of food right before bed help him sleep longer? Many mamas claim this is true. Whether they follow an on-demand feeding regimen or a more scheduled one, lots opt to rouse their lil ones right before mom and pops are ready to call it a night and stick a bottle or nipple in the babe's mouth for one last feeding. Most tot's sucking reflex is so strong that they can down an entire feeding without ever opening their eyes to see what they are doing. Parents that opt to go this route say it helps train the baby to sleep during the overnight hours while giving the grown-ups a good stretch of shut-eye.

A colleague told me that the dream feed was one of her most cherished hours once she returned to work, saying:

I continued dream-feeding my son for at least a month longer than I needed to because it was such a special time for me. My husband was asleep, my son was in my arms quiet and happily sucking away and I could take in his changing features and wonderful baby scent without the phone ringing or someone asking me for something. It was only after the doctor told me he was getting plenty of milk during his awake hours that I finally gave it up reluctantly.

Did you dream-feed your baby?

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10 Things New Moms Worry About

babysugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:00:46 -0700

Once mama has gotten over the fears of conception and pregnancy, the worry then spills over to newborn life. Moms vex over major and minor details as nobody wants their baby to come into harm's way. Getty

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