This post was written by a dear friend and old college roomate) who has always been on top of her game. Back in our old college haunt (literally, it was that scary!), there were 5 of us girls. Some of us were messy, some of us couldn’t keep jbs, some of us got wrapped up in extra-curricular activities or boyfriends and coulldn’t keep it together…and then there was Christina. Good old Christina. Always organizing bills, forever keeping her toom tidy, and even forgoing a night at the infamous “Pig” to get to bed on time for an early work day. Christina was one responsible mama!

 

So now, fast forward 14 yeard -yikes!- and Christina is using her amazing organizational skills to run a household, hold a full time job, make lots of time for her new cooing baby girl and get us up to speed on the current kid grear safety regulations. How does she do it? We’ll just have to ask her!

 

Thanks for contributing, Christina!

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I was a child of the late 70’s and 80’s. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say it’s a miracle that my siblings and I survived when I consider all the things our parents did that would now be considered major safety no-nos. How many of you drove on Mom or Dad’s lap? How many wore a seatbelt at all?

All kidding aside, today the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its guidelines for car seat restraints for children. Following recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), these new guidelines suggest that children stay in their appropriate seat restraint for as long as possible before moving to the next style of seat. When choosing the right seat for your child, parents and caregivers should consider the child’s height, weight AND age. The biggest changes to these guidelines include:

• Keeping your child in a REAR-FACING car seat for as long as possible or until they reach the top height/weight limit. This could be up to 3 years old.
• Keeping your 8-12 year old children in a BOOSTER SEAT until they are big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. That means the lap belt should fit snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach and the shoulder belt should lie snug against the shoulder and chest, not across the neck or face. Also, please don’t let your children (or yourself for that matter) put the seat belt behind their back. It’s simply not safe.

As a friend of mine pointed out, clearly the creators of these guidelines have never tried to put a screaming 2 year old wearing a snow suit in a car seat. Nor have they had to battle the infant that wants to watch the DVD in the supped-up minivan. However, Dr. Alanna Levine, a spokeswoman for the AAP, said on the Today show this morning that it’s more important to keep the head, back and neck safe (of course) and that children are comfortable with their legs bent. I guess we’ll have to see about that

There is one final recommendation. I remember my sister and I fighting over who got to ride “shotgun.” Well, the guidelines also reinforce that a child must be 13 years old to ride in the front seat. I’d be interested to see who is going to have a conversation with their tween and get them a) out of the front seat and b) back in a booster seat. As always, please check out the research yourself, follow all local laws and make the choice that is best for you and your child.

Cheers!

Check this out. It might just put your current preschool admissions struggles into perspective:

 

http://www.baycitizen.org/educ…..tough-fly/

Need an extra car seat base? Buggy Bubbles is giving them away this week in exchange for a donation to the Homeless Prenatal Program. We’ve got Gracos, Pegs, and Britaxs. Drop us a line if you’re interested!

We are extending our donation efforts to Japan through the month of April ask about other ways that you can help families in need!

How far would you go to try something new? Well, technically the ingredients aren’t really that new at all. Infact one ingredient goes as far back as mankind, is easily digestable, and happens to be chock full of disease-fighting immunoglobulin…still curious? Breastmilk! And now it’s not just for babes!

 

Pop culture guru, and owner of London’s targeted desert shop, Icecreamists, Matt O’Connor, is the brainchild of this concoction that sells for $22.80 per scoop. The recipe includes Madagascar vanilla beans, lemon zest and Mothernature’s first food, Breastmilk.

 

According to the BBC, lawmakers were initially behind the unusual creamy confection, but quickly leaped to put a stop to “production” once public outcry began for fear of hepititus contamination.

 

Icecreamists remaining stockpile of the infamous “Baby Gaga” confection has since been siezed, but dessert as we know it has been changed forever.

 

Would you try it?

 

http://www.theicecreamists.com/

Baby Jogger City Elite and BOB

 

1. Baby Jogger LLC Recalls Baby Jogger Jump Seats Due to Fall Hazard,http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pr…..11145.html

1. Baby Jogger LLC Recalls Baby Jogger Jump Seats Due to Fall Hazard

NEWS from CPSC and HC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
http://www.cpsc.gov

Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2011
Release #11-145

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (877) 506-2213
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

Baby Jogger LLC Recalls Baby Jogger Jump Seats Due to Fall Hazard

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. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Baby Jogger Jump Seats

Units: About 1,545 (U.S.) and about 450 (Canada)

Distributor: Baby Jogger LLC, of Richmond, Va.

Hazard: If the Jump Seat does not properly lock into place, the Jump Seat could disengage from the stroller allowing the child to fall out.

Incidents/Injuries: Baby Jogger has received four reports of children falling from the seat, including reports of scrapes, bruises, cuts and one broken nose.

Description: This recall includes the Baby Jogger Jump Seat. The Jump Seat is a fabric seat accessory with the name “Baby Jogger” on the front that is attached to the mounting bracket on the frame of a Baby Jogger City Elite, Baby Jogger City Classic or Baby Jogger Summit stroller and allows a toddler and baby to ride together in the same stroller at the same time. The item number is printed on the product packaging.
Item: Numbers J7J50
Sold: Beginning January 2008

Sold at: Juvenile products stores, mass merchandisers, and department stores nationwide and on the Web from January 2008 through July 2010 for about $100.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the Jump Seat and contact Baby Jogger to receive Jump Seat safety straps and assembly instructions.

Customer Contact: For additional information, contact Baby Jogger toll-free at (877) 506-2213 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, e-mail the firm at recall@babyjogger.com, or visit the firm’s website athttp://www.babyjogger.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/P…..re_id=1287

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to:http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pr…..11145.html

********************************************************

BOB

From http://www.bobcanopy.com/

On February 23, 2011 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with BOB Trailers, Inc. announced the voluntary recall of the following products: Sport Utility Stroller, Sport Utility Stroller D’Lux, Ironman®, Sport Utility Duallie®, Ironman® Duallie®, Revolution®, Revolution® 12”, Stroller Strides®, Revolution Duallie®, Revolution® Duallie® 12”, Stroller Strides® Duallie® strollers.

A drawstring on the stroller can get wrapped around a child’s neck, posing a strangulation hazard. Out of an abundance of caution, BOB is voluntarily recalling this product.

This recall involves BOB® Strollers manufactured between April 2002 and March 2010. The name “B.O.B” appears on the cargo basket of the strollers. Additionally, all the recalled strollers are most easily identified by a yellow/orange Drawstring at the rear of the canopy. (see photos below) Strollers have the serial number either stamped in the frame or on a white label. The serial numbers are located on the interior of the right swing arm tube (see image below). Models included in the recall are:

Model	Serial # Ranges
Sport Utility Stroller	012362 – 035107, AA00001 – AA025490, AA900000 – AA999999
Sport Utility Stroller D’Lux	012362 – 035107, AB000001 – AB007940, AB900000 – AB999999
Ironman®	800000 – 803700, AC000001- AC027923, AC900000 – AC999999
Sport Utility Duallie®	002001 – 008068, AD000001 – AD011252, AD900000 – AD999999
Ironman® Duallie	AE000001 – AE008909, AE900000 -AE999999
Revolution	AF000001 – AF189112, AF900000 – AF999999
Revolution 12”	AK000001 – AK024149, AK900000 – AK999999
Stroller Strides®	AG000001 – AG011163, AG900000 – AG999999
Revolution Duallie	AH000001 – AH072921, AH900000 – AH999999
Revolution Duallie 12”	AL000001 – AL012657, AL900000 – AL999999
Stroller Strides® Duallie	AM000001 – AM003229, AM900000 – AM999999

You should immediately stop using the recalled strollers until you can make the repairs detailed here. Click here for instructions on how to remove the Drawstring. If you use the stroller with the separately purchased Weather Shield or Sun Shield accessory, click here to order a free Canopy retrofit kit.

Configuration	Use Stroller Only	Use Stroller With Optional Weather Shield Accessory	Use Stroller With Optional Sun Shield Accessory
Remedy	Remove Drawstring	Remove Drawstring, Install Canopy retrofit Kit	Remove Drawstring, Install Canopy retrofit Kit

The fastest way to order a Canopy retrofit kit is to click here to fill out the information request so that we can ship you the appropriate clamp kit (if you are a Sun Shield or Weather Shield user). If you have additional questions you can contact us by email or toll free at (855) 242- 2245 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. MST M-F. Our goal is to make sure you are taken care of as quickly and efficiently as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience.