Every child needs that piggy bank…so what better baby keepsake gifts to give than this.  It is great for someone to give as a shower gift or for a parent to give to their children for a birthday gift or for a holiday gift.  I love personalized keepsake gifts and MamaBebe is all about that.  They have a great selection of really adorable items what you can get for any occassion.  And most people enjoy getting these sorts of gifts so you really can not go wrong with them.  And shopping online could not be easier these days….you save time, and usually you save money as well.  And you don’t have to fight the holiday crowds either…a big plus to shopping online.

How would you like a free patterned nursing cover? Just pay shipping and handling after you enter the promo code “Thanks”! I’ve been told to just go to UdderCovers.com, choose Shop Now, pick the product you want (even on the 3-piece gift sets), and you’ll find yourself at the center of the page where you can type in the promo code. Using this code gives you a $32 discount every time you make a transaction. What could be better than that? There are some really pretty patterns to be had. If you’re not currently nursing, these covers make great baby shower presents.

Total price using the code is $8.95!

It blows my mind that it’s NOVEMBER all ready. I just cringe when we get the “gift idea” catalogs in the mail. I’ve been procrastinating long enough. Hopefully, everyone will get some great Christmas ideas from this blog.

Be careful when you take your rings off!! We had a patient in the office today, who’s toddler swallowed a wedding band. I guess that a mens wedding ring looked like a glowing cheerio so he popped it in his mouth. How’d he get it you ask?? Apparently, Dad had misplaced it and *VOILA* Lil Junior found it for him. We did an x-ray & it had already passed through his stomach & small intestine, so it should be heading for the pooper shoot soon.

I know at times it’s unavoidable, but try to keep your children from ingesting foreign objects, please. It makes my job as an x-ray tech much easier If you’ve seen that new show on TV, you’ll know that kids will eat far worse than a ring to keep from going to bed!

until my children grow up & their children want to drag them to a childrens franchise like Chuck-E-Cheese.

It’s the little things, isn’t it??

A little different post today.

We all struggle with problems within our families, whether it be strong-willed children or major items requiring medical intervention. Just remember that you are not alone. One place to turn to for answers is family help books. I’ve read several for getting tips on dealing with my strong-willed stepson and in turn helping  myself to stay sane when I’m stressed out.

Do everything you can to try & strengthen your family. Don’t let it be torn apart by stress!!

Not only is October Breast Cancer Awareness month, it was also SIDS Awareness Month. Two causes close to any mother’s heart. Neither can truly be prevented, but awareness is the key! Tips to remember are:

1. Place infants to sleep on their backs, even though they may sleep more soundly on their stomachs. Infants who sleep on their stomachs and sides have a much higher rate of SIDS than infants who sleep on their backs.

2. Place infants to sleep in a baby bed with a firm mattress. There should be nothing in the bed but the baby – no covers, no pillows, no bumper pads, no positioning devices and no toys. Soft mattresses and heavy covering are associated with the risk for SIDS.

3. Keep your baby’s crib in the parents’ room until the infant is at least 6 months of age. Studies clearly show that infants are safest when their beds are close to their mothers.

4. Do not place your baby to sleep in an adult bed. Typical adult beds are not safe for babies. Do not fall asleep with your baby on a couch or in a chair.

5.Do not over-clothe the infant while she sleeps. Just use enough clothes to keep the baby warm without having to use cover. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you. Overheating an infant may increase the risk for SIDS.

6. Avoid exposing the infant to tobacco smoke. Don’t have your infant in the same house or car with someone who is smoking. The greater the exposure to tobacco smoke, the greater the risk of SIDS.

7. Breast-feed babies whenever possible. Breast milk decreases the occurrence of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Studies show that breast-fed babies have a lower SIDS rate than formula-fed babies do.

8. Avoid exposing the infant to people with respiratory infections. Avoid crowds. Carefully clean anything that comes in contact with the baby. Have people wash their hands before holding or playing with your baby. SIDS often occurs in association with relatively minor respiratory (mild cold) and gastrointestinal infections (vomiting and diarrhea).

9. Offer your baby a pacifier. Some studies have shown a lower rate of SIDS among babies who use pacifiers.

10. If your baby has periods of not breathing, going limp or turning blue, tell your pediatrician at once.

11. If your baby stops breathing or gags excessively after spitting up, discuss this with your pediatrician immediately.

12. Thoroughly discuss each of the above points with all caregivers. If you take your baby to daycare or leave him with a sitter, provide a copy of this list to them. Make sure they follow all recommendations.

So, let’s hear it.

Are you one of those mom’s that said you’d never just “pop in a movie” to entertain your children?

Have you changed your mind yet?

I have a few friends that made that very same statement. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t advocate a DVD player babysitting the kids. Sometimes you just need a moment by yourself, whether it be to take a shower or do the dishes.

So do your children watch disney, sesame street, veggie tales, or fox news??

There is a new car seat on the market and it is available only from Babies R Us and Toys R Us. It is a convertible car seat that does both forward & rear-facing, child harness up to 50lbs, and revolutionary new side impact technology. This comes in the form of air filled cushions on the inside of each head restraint wing. It essentially replaces the EPS foam found on most child restraints with an air-filled cushion. It’s not an airbag, so there’s no inflation involved. It’s basically a disc of open cell foam, surrounded by a perforated plastic bag. When compressed, the air released is restricted by the size of the holes, allowing it to increase the ride down time of the child’s head before it reaches the plastic shell or an intruding part of the vehicle.

Pre-order now for $249.99

The Potty Bench is a training potty featuring two enclosed side storage spaces for organizing potty training supplies, and a pull-out drawer for easy sanitary clean-up. Simply close the lid to use as a large, sturdy stool that supports up to 300 lbs. The sleek, modern design includes a built-in toilet paper holder and a removable soft deflector shield.