Peekaboo Design Group

Yesterday at lunch we sat next to a Mom who had her baby strapped into one of the Chicco Table Chairs.

I had a hard time concentrating on the conversation at my table worried that this baby was going to go flying, table chair and all, through the restaurant.  It looked as though one careless person passing through the aisle could send baby on a ride.

After lunch, I had a conversation with the Mom who said she had the same concern the first time she used it, but now she doesn't even think about it because it keeps baby close to the table and to her.  I inspected the chair and the arm extends well under the table, much more secure than it appears at first glance.  

The reviews online on these chairs are pretty good, too.  Check out a few we found by clicking on the pics above.

At Peekaboo, we want to present just the facts ma'am!  We don't buy into scare tactics and we don't sell 'em.  The job of this blog is to decifer the true threats from the inflated threats.  For this reason, we encourage dialogue.  If you can offer detailed studies to back up or disprove a claim discussed here, please share!  And as always, thanks for visiting.

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Did you know that most pediatricians do not recommend using baby powder to powder baby's bum?  In fact, many in medical field do not recommend baby powder to powder adult bums.

Inhalation is the primary reason and is 2-fold.  First, inhaling baby powder could cause aspiration.  I can attest to this claim after watching my husband nearly choke to death from inhaling Anti-Monky Butt Powder. 

Second, most baby powders contain talc.  Inhaling the talc in baby powder could cause breathing problems later.  Some have even tried to link lung cancer to talcum powder, though the claims that I've seen don't seem to have much evidence to back them up.  That doesn't mean it couldn't be a factor.  The one thing that most do agree on is that talc, when ground into a fine substance to use as a powder, contains minute fibers that appear similar to asbestos.  These small particles can be carried airborn easier and could possibly reach the smallest parts of the lungs easier when inhaled. 

The last reason for concern has to do with direct application to the skin.  Use of talcum powder has been suspected as a potential risk factor for ovarian cancer.  In all my research, this theory seems to have the most evidence to back it up.  It is still a controversial theory because several of the factors in these studies are seen as questionable.  It is also important to note on a baby planning blog that these studies include women who have used talcum powder (down 'der) for up to 30 years.  

Study on effects of Talcum Powder:  Study on effect of Talcum Powder

From American Cancer Society: Talcum Powder and Cancer

Below is a helpful statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

Baby Powder is most used by families with the belief that it will help keep the baby's skin dry from urine and free from rashes. Although powder may have helped in the past, diapers are so absorbent today that moisture is usually not a problem. Baby powder in theory can be inhaled into a baby's airway and cause laryngospasm or trigger wheezing in a susceptible child. In general, it is wise to precaution parents to only use powders sparingly, if at all, and to make sure to shake the powder into the caregivers hands first and away from the baby's face.

Our Conclusion

The Safest solution is to just use an ointment.  Second best solution is to use good ol' corn starch or a baby powder that contains corn starch and is Talc free (see a few here.)  Place the powder in your hand, away from baby, and gently apply the powder/corn starch. 

Happy Changing!

Going Green in the nursery is a trend that has become more and more popular over the last few years.  What began as an organic effort to keep baby safe from un-natural substances has now joined full force with the environmental movement.  But do the two mix? 

I'm going to fill you in on a dirty little secret of mine.  It may make many of you upset so please note where to send the hate mail below.  I have been and will be, until they're discontinued, on a mission to buy as many incandescent light bulbs as possible.  Every time that I'm at a place that sells them, I buy four 6-packs.  Did it today.  Home Depot.  1:26pm. Location undisclosed.  My goal is to stock up so that I don't have to buy the Compact Fluorescent Lights until I'm 82.

It's not that I don't love planet Earth.  Quite the opposite.  Though I do have long term environmental concerns regarding these expensive, twisty bulbs; that's for another day.  The main reason I'm stocking up on the old bulbs is because I'm afraid we'll have to move if I break one of the new ones.  I'm a little freaked out by the disposal and clean-up.   

When I read through the CFL Fact Sheet (link below), I thought, "Oh, these don't sound so bad."  But then I read on and thought...if these aren't dangerous why is the disposal and clean-up so labor intensive and fraught with warning?  It reminded me of a trip to Mexico that I took during Hurricane Dolly.  The first day, the staff said, "Oh, it's just a little tropical storm.  Don't panic."  Meanwhile, the entire hotel was being boarded up with large sheets of plywood; we mysteriously stopped getting the daily newspaper and weren't allowed to leave the hotel.  Hmm...somehow I don't think I'm getting the full story, here.

One thing that everyone seems to agree on is that exposure to the inside of these bulbs should be taken seriously, especially where pregnant women, babies and children are concerned.  The state of Vermont has even recommended removing carpeting when there is a breakage in an area where pregnant women or infants are present.

EPA's Page on Mercury Release and Spills

Below are several good articles to help you in your research: 

Shining a Light on the Hazards of Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Rarely, CFL's can cause Adverse Health Effects

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cfl.asp

CFL Light Bulbs:  Hype & Hazard?

CFL's and Mercury Exposure:  What you need to know

I love the quote from the article below:  "...CFL's can and should still be used in everyone's home until a non-toxic light bulb becomes available."  Um.  What? 

Consumers Advised on Mercury Risk

The purpose of this post is to open a dialogue.  We will continue to research this topic and post our findings.  If you have facts that you would like to share in order to help others come to an educated decision, please be sure to chime in!

Did you know that you don't even need bumpers on your crib?  Crib bumpers were created for the older cribs.  These cribs had slats that were far enough apart that baby could slip through and be injured or possibly hang him/herself.  The crib bumpers prevented such a tradgedy.

The slats on cribs are now placed a safe distance apart.  I suspect most people don't even know that bumpers aren't a necessity for safety.   So, why do we still use crib bumpers?  They do keep baby's arms and legs from slipping through the slats as they get a little older.  Some parents say that their babies are restless sleepers and bang their head against the crib.  This usually occurs as they get a little older and more mobile. 

If you asked most parents, they would probably say they like the look.  The crib bedding is always one of the most exciting things to create for a client because it's generally the feature of the nursery.  Almost every client tells me the same thing when referring to their bumpers, "I want baby to rub up against something soft to comfort them."

What most people don't realize is that there are many groups who speak out against crib bumpers.  Their advice to parents is not to use them at all.  Though few, there are reported infant deaths as a direct result of crib bumpers.  My advice to parents is to do the research and come to your own conclusion.  There are tons of resources online and the posts from other parents are invaluable.

AN ALTERNATIVE:  The picture above is of a mesh crib bumper.  If your decision is to go without bumpers, why not try the mesh?  This keeps baby's arms and legs from slipping through the slats and also lets air flow throughout the crib.  Think it's ugly as sin?  I have some ideas for fabulous nurseries using the mesh bumper!  Just shoot me an e-mail: kim@peekaboodesign.com

This is the link to the American SIDS institute.                                                                                                                                                                                    http://www.sids.org/       

This article is interesting but, more than anything, I enjoyed reading the 'real-parent' comments at the bottom.                           http://daddytypes.com/2007/12/03/your_jpma_at_work_are_boomers_to_blame_for_crib_bumpers.php

This is the study documenting the infant deaths/injuries caused from crib bumpers.                                                                  http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022347607003630