Nearly every mama I know has carried her baby in a sling at one time or another. My own daughter rode in a sling almost daily, especially during her colicky phase, when she needed to be held all the time. I was always very careful to check on her breathing and make sure her face wasn’t covered, because it did occur to me that a newborn bundled in yards of fabric could present some safety issues.

That’s exactly what you may hear in coming weeks from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - a warning that baby slings could be dangerous. According to the Associated Press, CPSC is getting ready to issue some new warnings about baby slings because they’ve been linked to the suffocation deaths of seven infants.

In the meantime, consider using babywearing positions other than the classic cradle hold. Much of the risk to babies in slings, according to the AP article, is that they can shift into a C position deep in the sling and their airway can be compromised.

New Warnings Regarding Baby Slings Expected originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 20:04:46.

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Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber.com.

This week, I had a chance to check out the new pewter dot Studio Tote diaper bag from Skip Hop. Photos don’t do this diaper bag justice! The colors are soft, pretty grays that will coordinate with almost any outfit, whether you’re headed to the office or the park. The fabric on the bag is accented by slightly shimmery, elegant leather trim.

The Studio Tote isn’t just another pretty face, though. It’s roomy enough for a stash of diapers, blankets, extra clothes and other baby gear on the inside. Pockets line the whole inside, so you can organize easily. The exterior has two bottle pockets, two zip pockets, and a wide pocket on the back.

A coordinating changing pad comes with the Skip Hop Studio Tote. There are also little clips inside that can be used to quickly hang the diaper bag securely on stroller handles. This is a fantastic and attractive diaper bag that can definitely be used post-baby as an office tote.

• Compare Prices on pewter Skip Hop Studio Tote diaper bag (Pricegrabber.com).

Hot Baby Products: Skip Hop Studio Tote originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 02:58:23.

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When most people think about St. Patrick’s Day, they usually don’t think about babies!  Bars, yes…babies, no.  But, we’re here to change all of that because it’s actually a wonderful time to celebrate the new little leprechauns in the family.  Here are three ways to make it happen!

#1 – Irish Baby Shower Theme

If you’re expecting and your baby shower happens to be in March, make it a St. Patty’s Day theme.  Have everyone bring Irish-themed baby gifts and decorate the place with green clovers.  You can even make Mom feel special with an Irish corsage that’s actually a handkerchief that she can use to wipe away the tears of joy.  It’s a wonderful way to wish the Mom and baby good luck.  And, believe you me, they’ll likely need it.

#2 – Baby Baptism

After the baby is born, it’s time to begin him or her on a life-long journey of faith.  And, having a baby dedication or baptism is a wonderful way to preserve and celebrate your Irish heritage.  Invite family and friends for the service, and offer a traditional Irish blessing over the baby and the family.  To commemorate the spiritual significance of the day, you can bring a keepsake bible or baptismal bib as a baby gift.  The family will truly appreciate the thoughtfulness, and it will surely become and instant heirloom.

#3 – Adorable Baby Costume

Your baby might not be a leprechaun, but wearing this baby outfit is sure to bring a lot of luck his way.  With a big green clover on the front and the words “Lucky Baby”, could it get any cuter?!  It’s the perfect thing to wear to a St. Patrick’s Day party or just bopping around town.  But, don’t think of this as just something cute to wear.  It’s really a tribute to your history and a way to keep those Irish eyes a smiling–which is what everyone will be doing when they see your baby wearing this bodysuit on the 17th or any other day for that matter.

There you have it!  Three ways to keep the babies in the mix because they’re born to have a good time!

Toddlers, ages 3.5 and 1.5, rear-facing in Graco My Ride 65 car seats. Photo submitted by A.B.

Do you have a photo you’d like to submit for Wordless Wednesday? Take a look at the Wordless Wednesday guidelines and submission procedures, and send me your best pics!

Wordless Wednesday: Extended Rear-Facing originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 02:29:31.

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Have you seen the new collection of unique baby gifts from Baby Aspen called “Big Dreamzzz”?  This line of  “future fame” sleepwear is too cute for words, and it gives the new Mom, Dad and baby something special to look forward to! Baby Aspen just launched the fourth in their ever-growing line—”Big Dreamzzz” Baby All-Star.

Unless you’re one of those individuals who believes girls should aspire only to traditionally female careers, this outfit will look just as cute on a girl as it will on a boy. Yes, I know people will automatically assume the baby in this outfit is a boy, so socially enlightened moms just need to be ready with a response to “Oh, what a cute little boy!”

Mom’s response: “Good guess, but no. This is my daughter Emerson Rose. We want to teach her from a young age that she can be anything she wants to be when she grows up rather than conform to society’s gender-biased expectations. Besides, we think this outfit is adorable!”

Not to worry! “Big Dreamzzz” has something for the traditionalists, too. Here’s the dainty and delightful Baby Ballerina sleep set. Ironically, I don’t believe what I said above holds true for this outfit. It’s clearly a girly thing. It’s highly unlikely a new dad would let his newborn boy be seen in Baby Ballerina, but you never know.

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Meanwhile, there’s still “Big Dreamzzz” Baby MD and Baby Camo, both of which I believe would work for either gender, depending on baby’s parents. They may be doctors, members of the armed forces or avid hunters, and they would be proud to h ave their children follow in their footsteps. I can see an outfit like this becoming a keepsake—framing it after baby outgrows it and using it as nursery/wall decor to remind their little one of all the possibilities! As always, you’ll find these fabulous baby gifts first at Corner Stork Baby Gifts!

Babylife WeeGo Glass Bottles. ©2008. Used with permission.

Glass baby bottles have, of course, been around forever. They’ve made a new surge in popularity after the big push for BPA-free bottles, though. After all, one way to avoid BPA in plastics is to avoid plastic bottles altogether.

How did you choose between BPA-free plastic bottles and traditional glass bottles? Plastic bottles have the advantage of being lightweight, unlikely to break, and widely available. Glass baby bottles are incredibly durable and can now be dressed up with really cute bottle covers that prevent breakage if they’re dropped. Vote in the poll below and then share how you decided which bottles to use via the comments link.

Poll: Have you tried glass baby bottles?

• Yes.
• No.
• View Results

Have You Tried Glass Baby Bottles? originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 09:05:17.

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Once you’ve gained a few months of parenting experience with a newborn, or you’ve successfully navigated perilous toddler situations, your ideas and suggestions are incredibly valuable to others. You can share your favorite baby products here, or give tips on ways you’ve creatively used the baby gear you chose so carefully. Help out other parents by sharing your thoughts and photos in the forms below, or browse responses to get ideas of your own.

• Must-Have Products for Newborns
• Baby Products You Won’t Buy Again
• Saving Money On Baby Products
• How Long Did Your Baby Stay Rear-Facing in the Car?
• Ideal Baby Crib Features
• Baby Nursery Ideas & Themes
• Must-Have Baby Travel Products
• How I Chose a Cloth-Diapering Method
• Tried & True Baby Soothing Products
• Must-Have Stroller Features
• Favorite Potty Training Products
• Potty Training Reward That Work

Share Your Baby Gear Tips! originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 10:05:50.

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It’s a long-running joke among parents that babies don’t come with instruction manuals. Luckily, though, if you’re perplexed by something your baby or toddler is doing, there’s likely a book that can help you figure the situation out.

Stephanie at About.com Toddlers has a nice list of helpful books about toddlers for parents who are entering that phase with their little ones. My favorite? The Toddler Owner’s Manual. The content is great, and the name is pretty reassuring if you were hoping that missing instruction booklet might someday appear.

For babies, you can also check out The Baby Owner’s Manual (Compare Prices), or another of my favorites, the not-at-all-serious Girlfriends Guide to Surviving Your First Year of Motherhood (Compare Prices).

Do you have a favorite parenting book about babies or toddlers? Share your must-haves for a parenting library by adding a comment below.

Because Babies Don’t Come With Instructions… originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 00:25:23.

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Moms and Dads on the go will thank product guru Karim Rashid for designing this unique mealtime baby gift.  It’s sleek, sophisticated–and it heats itself!  That’s right!  No more waiting to warm the milk or figuring out what to do when you’re away from home.  This innovative baby bottle actually does it all in no time flat, leaving you plenty more time to spend with your precious little one.

In about four minutes, it heats milk without the use of batteries or electricity–an organic heating cartridge is all it needs.  Just think about the freedom this little device brings! You can heat up your baby’s milk in the car, on the airplane, at the beach, at the mall…just about anywhere you decide to go!

Can’t you hear the angels singing– aaaaaahhhhh– as if the heavens are opening up and rejoicing over this one?  I know I sure do.  But, even if the heavens aren’t rejoicing, Mother Nature sure will be because this bottle has plenty of eco-friendly benefits that would make Mama proud:

• No BPA, PVC, Lead or Phthalates.
• Accommodates Dr. Brown’s, Meda, Pigeon and Nuk nipples
• 100 % organic disposable heating cartridge , that only contains salt and water.

Curious to see how it works?  Check out this cool–or should I say–hot video!

With Valentine’s Day just past, everyone was thinking about romantic rendezvous, candlelight dinners and plenty of smooching.  And, you know what all that love-making leads to, right!?–Babies! So, for about 11,000 of you couples out there (that’s the estimated amount of babies that are conceived on Valentine’s Day), it’s time to start thinking about baby showers.  In just nine short months, your little one will be making his or her debut.  Considering how the whole thing got started in the first place, let these heart baby shower favors share the love at your shower!

For a simple idea that’s easy to make, this heart-shaped case can hold your favorite candies to thank your guests.  And, because it comes as a do-it-yourself favor kit, you won’t have to run around trying to find everything you need.  It’s all included, except for the candy, of course!

For the Mod Mom, this heart luggage tag sends you and your guests off on a journey that began with love.  Accented with white dashes that resemble flowers, this distinctive black baby shower favor is a useful way to carry baby’s first photo–and you’ll always be able to identify your luggage at the airport!

Speaking of useful gifts, here’s another one of my favorites.  This silver bookmark is perfect for people who like to read–and even for those who don’t because it can be used to mark recipes in a book, a page in your diary, or even a calendar page in your daytimer.  There are so many uses for this sleek bookmark, your guests will be glad you chose it.

Now that we’ve got the baby shower taken care of, come back in November when the baby is born for some cute baby gifts .