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• Babble Talk: The Paci Problem

  Pamela Appea knows all about sucking. As she writes in the latest Bad Parent essay, she is addicted to giving her son, who is almost 2, a pacifier. "The pacifier nips a kicking, crying, screaming toddler temper tantrum right in the bud," she writes. "And my son automatically reaches for his pacifier when he needs something more than a book to read or some milk to drink or a playmate to hug. Why are people so eager to give up such a magic bullet?" Read More... Posted Jul 06 2008, 08:32 AM by Jen Chaney with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: pacifiers, binky, Bad Parent, negative consequences of pacifier use, paci, Pamela Appea, infant habits

• When to Ignore the Pediatrician

  Is it ever a good idea to ignore the pediatrician's advice? After all, they're the experts, right? Wrong! A handful of doctors were interviewed, and here's what they say about some of their own advice: ignore it, sometimes. Here are five instances when it might be a good idea to nod politely and then carry on as usual:   Read More... Posted Mar 17 2008, 11:02 AM by Madeline Holler with | with 8 comment(s) Filed under: Cry it Out, co-sleeping, experts, pacifiers, medical advice, stay-at-home moms, dad experts, ignore advice, eating solids, doctor's advice, starting solids, mom experts, nipple confusion, sancti-docs

• Pediatrician Poll: Pacifiers

  "Pacifiers can be detrimental in the first few days of life before breastfeeding is established. After that and up until six months I am for them, as recent data shows pacifiers may help protect against SIDS." — Ann Kellams, MD, FAAP. Charlottesville, VA. "I have been for pacifiers even without the academy coming up in favor. The main reason I like pacifiers is because they can be controlled. You can't cut off a thumb, but you can take away a pacifier." — Charles I. Shubin, MD, FAAP. Baltimore, MD. "Once breastfeeding is established, I have found that most infants can use a pacifier without adverse effects. New data suggests that pacifier use might actually decrease SIDS cases as well." — John W. Waidner, MD, FAAP. Jacksonville FL. To obtain these results, Babble randomly called 300 AAP-approved pediatricians in 50 states, then tallied the answers of the 20 who called back. Pediatrician Poll appears in Strollerderby every Friday.   Posted Feb 29 2008, 12:00 PM by editors with | with no comments Filed under: pediatrician poll, pacifiers

• Greenhouse: BPA-Free Baby Feeding

  By now, the concerns about bisphenol-A in baby bottles have been well-documented. Studies have shown it disrupts the endocrine system, can cause damage to egg cells and even cause hyperactivity. Attempts to ban it in some US states have mostly failed, but worried parents are starting to seek out options. Most clear, rigid baby bottles contain it –it's BPA that makes them that way, and yes, that's just about every widely available bottle out there. There are BPA-free options, although they are generally quite expensive, around $10 for just one bottle. Of course, there's always good old-fashioned glass (which is less expensive but gives a klutz like me anxiety attacks, but it's apparently tempered safety glass and thus sturdier). Once you have decided to use a BPA-free bottle, though, there is more to worry about.   Read More... Posted Feb 13 2008, 12:03 PM by AmyinMotown with | with 7 comment(s) Filed under: plastics, baby bottles, greenhouse, pacifiers, Bisphenol-A, green daily, silicone

• Things Fall Apart: The Nemo How Could You Edition

  Oh Nemo. Even if you aren't identified specifically as Nemo, we still know you by your perky orange and white stripes, your vacant-yet-hopeful expression, your slightly crossed eyes. We'd know you anywhere! Too bad you're covered with lead, oh well. But hey! All is not lost! After all, there are more recalls to mock this weeks besides a few paltry faux-Nemo coin banks. That's right! We have torchiere lamps from Lowe's, scary-creepy wrestler action figures, kid's trailer bikes (as opposed to bike trailers), pacifiers, and Tinkerbell lamps. All the bases are covered, so have a look...   Read More... Posted Jan 15 2008, 01:38 PM by Karen Murphy with | with no comments Filed under: safety, recalls, things fall apart, pacifiers, Baby Town, Lowe's lamps, Tinkerbell, kid's trailer bikes, dollar store cheap goods, Nemo

• Saying Goodbye to Binky-Love

  Of my four kids, two were especially high-maintenance as babies. We're talking round-the-clock crying for months. We're talking a general pissed-offedness. We're talking major candidates for being plugged as often as possible with a pacifier. Except no amount of coaxing, no nipple-shaped, just-like-mom piece of plastic was of any interest to those two. But plenty of parents have the opposite problem: when and especially how to wean from the pacifier? My older daughter was a binky-junkie.   Read More... Posted Sep 28 2007, 09:02 AM by Karen Murphy with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: babies, toddlers, pacifiers, binky, weaning

• Things Fall Apart: Crystal-Covered Pacifiers

  One thousand crystal-encrusted pacifiers sold on Etsy and Ebay since June 2006 have been recalled not for being tacky, but due to the risk of crystal ingestion. Tiny crystals glued to a pacifier pose a risk to a child's safety? Who knew! Now that these pacifiers are off the market, some of you may be wondering how to satisfy your lust for baby bling. Don't fret! Once he turns three, just have your little one fitted for some grillz. They're just practice teeth anyway. Posted Jul 29 2007, 11:08 AM by ChagHolland with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: things fall apart, pacifiers