Understanding "Baby Talk"

Most parents soon discover how difficult it is to communicate with their baby, and there are days that parents might wish that their children were born talking. It would make things so much easier if their baby had the ability to communicate what they need or want. Or for the crying baby to be able to tell Mom and Dad in baby-talk what was hurting or bothering the infant in the middle of the night when his/her cries for help woke the parents out of a sound sleep.

Herein lies the problem: there is a failure to communicate. There are no baby adult common language communication skills available for the infant or the parents to have a baby-needs conversation. It is such a helpless feeling to hold a crying, fussing, infant, and when the parents have no clue what he/she wants or what will bring comfort. The parents’ hope is that with their calming voice and their baby-talk the “we can work it out” message will get through, and the baby will fall back to sleep.

As parents struggle to work with the wordless baby-talk they start learning, through trial and error, as they begin learning a second language which is the baby’s first sign of speech though wordless. Parents can pick up clues to the baby’s needs over time, and the baby will also find a way to communicate those needs to the parents hopefully. The infant’s baby-talk, gestures or type of cries, offers new signs for communication, thus baby-talk closes the communication gap. As parents learn baby-talk, as parents share more baby-talk, understanding baby-talk becomes happy-talk. Even baby-talk play has meaning with the baby’s smiles and laughter.

Introducing baby and toddler books to your child can become a fun and beneficial aid to both you and your baby or toddler, and help bridge the gap between both worlds of words and actions, lessening the frustration for the family. One such story does just that, in the tale of Knuffle Bunny.

The recipient of a 2005 Caldecott Honor, "Mo Willems uses a cool blend of illustration layered over sepia-toned photography to bring to life this tale of would-be woe, as toddler Trixie escorts her dad to the Laundromat but returns without her beloved Knuffle Bunny. Since Trixie speaks in pre-verbal babble, she doesn't have the words yet to say what's wrong, but after Dad (eventually) saves the day, they finally learn to understand each other." A delightful book, and one parents and child can share and enjoy together.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Infant Toys Recall Information

(Recently Released)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Infant Toys

Units: About 172,000 in the United States, and 12,000 in Canada

Distributor: Infantino LLC, of San Diego, Calif.

Hazard: The infant toys have blue metallic fabric that can detach from the toy, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 45 reports of the metallic fabric detaching from the toys. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled infant toys and their model numbers are listed below.

Name of Toy / Model Number
Infantino Lil' Chef Set / 158-201 and 558-201
Infantino Activity Stacker / 158-202
Infantino Tag Along Chime Trio / 150-3092

The model number is located on a yellow tag on the toy.

Sold at: Babies "R" Us, Target, Wal-Mart, Meijer and other specialty stores from June 2007 through February 2009 for between $10 and $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from young children and contact Infantino for a free replacement toy or product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Infantino toll-free at (888) 808-3111 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.infantino. com

Note: Health Canada's press release is available at http://209.217. 71.106/PR/ recall-retrait- e.jsp?re_ id=689

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to: http://www.cpsc. gov/cpscpub/ prerel/prhtml09/ 09146.html

Make Your Own Natural Baby Care Products

If you are like so many parents today who are concerned that many conventional baby products contain questionable ingredients such as parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), talc, and synthetic perfumes and fragrances, you may have chosen to take matters into your own hands. All these ingredients can have adverse effects on the health and well being of your baby, so it is no wonder parents are now finding that it is easy, more cost effective, and safer to make their own natural baby products.

Since the skin is the body’s largest organ and it has the ability to absorb things that is comes into contact with, would you want to expose your baby to potentially harmful chemicals or would you rather use safe and natural ingredients? Most parents would agree that ensuring your baby products are completely natural, is worth it. Making our own baby products with all natural ingredients can be fun to do, it saves money, and most importantly, it ensures that your babies' delicate immune systems are not unduly taxed by harmful product ingredients. Most of the ingredients listed can be purchased at your local supermarkets, drug stores or natural food stores so you can pick some up on your regular shopping trips. With just a few key natural ingredients, you can make all sorts of natural baby care products. You don’t have to have a chemistry degree to create all natural, luxurious, baby friendly products. If you are currently using conventional baby care products, check out Skin Deep for more information on the safety of the products.

Try these easy recipes for natural baby products:

All Natural Baby Wipes Solution

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup Aloe Vera Juice
• 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Calendula Oil
• 1 teaspoon grated, unscented soap
• 2 drops Lavender Oil
• 2 drops Tea Tree Oil

Mix in a jar and then pour over organic cloth wipes or paper towels. This baby wipe solution is anti-fungal and great for discouraging yeast diaper rashes. The essential oil can be found at any health food store and has a pleasing fragrance.

A Better Baby Oil

1 cup Grapeseed or Apricot Kernel oil
4-6 drops lavender or chamomile essential oils
1-2 vitamin E capsules (optional)

Squeeze the vitamin E capsules into the oils and mix together. Store in a dark colored bottle and use as a bath or massage oil. This is also great for moms after shaving!

Diaper Rash Ointment

2 ounces Jojoba oi
5 drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil
2-3 drops of Wheatgerm oil or Pure Vitamin E oil

Jojoba oil is perfect for baby skin due to its great nutritional properties. It is easily absorbed and allows the skin to breathe, unlike other oils. It nourishes the skin and moisturizes it at the same time. To further enhance these beneficial properties add 5 drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil (both act as anti-bacterial agents) for every 2 ounces of oil. Wheatgerm oil with its naturally high Vitamin E content complements this jojoba oil mixture. Adding a few drops will also help preserve this product. Pure Vitamin E Oil is a good alternative if you cannot find wheatgerm oil.

All-Natural Avocados A Good Nutrition Source for Babies

Avocados and Babies

The avocado's smooth, creamy consistency makes it one of the first all-natural fresh fruits a baby can safely enjoy. Avocados are sodium- and cholesterol- free, and contain valuable nutrients including 8% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for folate; 4% DV for fiber and potassium, 4% DV for vitamin E; and 2% DV for iron. One serving of avocado also contains 81 micrograms of the carotenoid lutein and 19 micrograms of beta-carotene. Also, per serving, avocados have 3.5 grams of unsaturated fats, which are known to be important for normal growth and development of the central nervous system and brain.

Avocado Facts:

1. Avocados contain 81 micrograms of the carotenoid lutein, which some studies suggest may help maintain healthy eyes.
2. Avocados are included in Fruits & Veggies-More Matters™ consumer educational program to promote increased consumption of fruits and vegetables for good health.
3. Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds that can contribute to the nutrient quality of your diet.
4. Due to their mono and polyunsaturated fat content, avocados are a healthy substitution for foods rich in saturated fat.
5. One-fifth of a medium avocado (1 oz) has 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals making it a good nutrient choice.
6. Avocados contain 76 milligrams beta-sitosterol in a 3-oz serving of avocado. Beta-sitosterol is a natural plant sterol which may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Additional Facts:

• One-fifth of a medium avocado, or about one ounce, has 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 beneficial nutrients to the diet.
• Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are thought to help prevent many chronic diseases.
• Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, including 4% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for vitamin E, 4% vitamin C, 8% folate, 4% fiber, 2% iron, 4% potassium, with 81 micrograms of lutein and 19 micrograms of beta-carotene.
• Avocados act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha- and beta-carotene as well as lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.

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Disposable Or Cloth Diapers?

Disposable Versus Cloth Diapers

One of the first and most important decisions you’ll make in caring for your baby will be what kind of diapers to use. There are two choices: disposable and cloth. Following is a summary of the best features and benefits of each:

Disposable diapers

• Types: Disposable diapers come in different sizes that are designated by the age and weight of the baby.
• How they stay on: Disposable diapers are fastened with tape or Velcro strips attached to the back panel that fasten in the front.
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It’s not unusual for baby to go through 8 to 10 diapers a day. That means in a year’s time you’ll be changing more than 2,800 diapers!

• Cleaning and disposal: Soiled disposable diapers should be folded in on themselves and be disposed of in your trash.
• Day-care use: Most day-care centers require disposable diapers because they are more convenient to use and to dispose of.
• Availability: Disposable diapers are available at grocery and discount stores.
• Diaper-rash prevention: Wetness is soaked into the diaper’s layers, keeping the baby’s bottom drier and less susceptible to irritation.
• Travel convenience: Soiled diapers can be disposed of in the appropriate trash receptacles.
• Price: Using disposable diapers is more expensive than using cloth diapers.

Cloth diapers

• Types: Cloth diapers come in woven cotton, terry cloth, or flannel and can be bought unfolded or prefolded in different thicknesses.
• How they stay on: Cloth diapers are fastened with safety pins, or you can buy Velcro-fastening cloth diapers or diaper covers designed to hold the diaper in place.
• Cleaning and disposal: Soiled cloth diapers need to be rinsed in your toilet, and should be machine-washed in hot water separately from other items. In between laundering, soiled diapers can be kept in a diaper pail. Flushable liners are available for cloth diapers and can make cleanup much easier.
• Day-care use: Discuss the option of using cloth diapers at your day-care center. In-home (theirs or yours) care providers may be more agreeable to using cloth than centers might be.
• Availability: Cloth diapers are available at department and discount stores. A diaper service is another alternative, which may provide convenient home delivery of clean diapers and pickup of soiled diapers.
• Diaper-rash prevention: With cloth diapers, wetness stays next to your baby’s bottom, which may cause irritation.
• Travel convenience: Soiled diapers can be placed in resealable plastic bags and laundered when it’s convenient.
• Price: Cloth diapers you launder yourself are the least expensive choice. Diaper services are a more costly option.

Environmental considerations
There are environmental pros and cons on both sides of the diaper debate. Self-laundering and diaper services both use water and electricity to clean diapers; disposable diapers add to the garbage that’s deposited in our landfills.

What’s best for your baby?
There’s no one right answer for everyone. Choose what you feel is best for your baby, yourselves, and your schedule. Whichever you choose, you’ll probably want to have some cloth diapers on hand to use as burp cloths and impromptu bibs.